Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor after nine years at Liverpool. The 34-year-old Egyptian forward was officially unveiled on Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd at Papara Park after completing his first training session with his new team-mates earlier in the day.
Trabzonspor secured Salah despite interest from several rival Turkish clubs throughout the summer. Fenerbahce executive Ertan Torunogullari claimed in June that negotiations had progressed well. "He was very keen on coming to Turkey. The meetings we had were extremely positive," Torunogullari said. "I believe that if the new management makes such a request, Salah will wear the Fenerbahce jersey."
Galatasaray sources claimed they were approached first about signing the Liverpool legend, but chose not to pursue him due to unacceptable contract demands. Besiktas president Serdal Adali claimed his side reached a verbal agreement before contract negotiations broke down with agent Ramy Abbas, who has represented Salah for a decade.
"The agent raised his commission to unbelievable figures, reaching about 35 per cent," Adali claimed last month. "From our side, such a percentage cannot be accepted under any circumstances and we do not believe that Salah is aware of these figures [as] we are only negotiating with Ramy Abbas."
"Mohamed Salah had given his approval for this transfer, and his agent initially responded positively to our offer," Adali added. "Salah spoke to our technical director and sporting director and gave his approval, but later, when it was written in the media the transfer had been completed, the agent raised the financial demands."
After Trabzonspor announced the deal, Adali insisted Besiktas were not outmanoeuvred. "We weren't outmanoeuvred; we didn't want the transfer," Adali said. "I've made many such transfers; the hype lasts only three or five days. Two weeks later, when we step onto the pitch, everything will be clear. We'll all see what happens next season."
Trabzonspor recruitment and contract terms
Trabzonspor offered a financial package that makes Salah the highest paid player in Turkey, surpassing Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray. Salah's contract pays a base salary of £14.5 million per year, alongside more than £3 million in potential bonuses. He will also receive a 20 per cent cut of any "Salah 10" merchandise sold, after reaching an agreement with team-mate Ernest Muci to take the number 10 shirt.
While Saudi Arabian clubs offered lucrative deals, Salah prioritized remaining in European football. Playing in the UEFA Champions League with clubs in Spain or Italy would have required a significant wage reduction that was never considered, leading Salah to accept Trabzonspor's offer to lead their campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Trabzonspor utilized key figures to persuade the Egyptian international. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, spending his second consecutive season on loan at Trabzonspor, conducted secret talks with Salah to promote the Black Sea club. Egyptian team-mate Mahmoud Trezeguet also participated in the recruitment efforts.
Trabzonspor initially inquired about Salah during the World Cup before stepping aside. The club reopened discussions during the past 10 days, reaching a full agreement within five days while Salah holidayed in Mykonos.
"If Trabzonspor wants to, it can bring players of all levels from all over the world here," Trabzonspor President Ertugrul Dogan told Turkish outlet TiviBu. "Hopefully, we will be in the title race this year."
Trabzonspor have won the Turkish top flight seven times, last winning the title in 2022. The club has won only one Super Lig title since 1984 and currently ranks 146th in the European Football Clubs ranking, placed between Latvia's RFS Riga and Iceland's Vikingur Reykjavik. Trabzonspor hope Salah can help them dethrone Galatasaray, who have won the last four league titles and are seeking a fifth consecutive championship.
Fan unveiling and city tourism impact
Speaking to fans at his Papara Park unveiling on Thursday, Salah expressed his gratitude. "The last couple of days, it's an experience I've never had in my life. I want to thank you guys for being here today and yesterday, you showed me so much love and I never expected that reception," Salah said. "I'm here to win, I want to win something with this club because you have showed me so much love. I really appreciate that, I want to thank the president for making it happen. I'm very happy to be here and I can't wait to see you on the pitch."
The signing sparked widespread enthusiasm across Trabzon, a city of 300,000 residents. Trabzonspor pre-ordered 100,000 shirts, but after high traffic crashed the club's official website on Wednesday during season ticket and jersey sales, estimates rose to nearly 300,000 shirts.
When Salah arrived at Trabzon Airport on Wednesday, an estimated 25,000 supporters greeted him with flares and street celebrations. Turkish politician Adil Karaismailoglu subsequently announced direct charter flights between Cairo and Trabzon. The inaugural flight brought 120 Egyptian tourists to the city, with thousands more expected to travel to watch Salah play.
"I am so happy to be in this incredible atmosphere. I can't put into words how surprised I am," Salah said on Wednesday after landing. "There are 25,000 people here; I don't remember ever seeing anything like this before. Seeing such love and attention makes me very happy. I'm even struggling to put it into words."
International interest and pundit reaction
Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City, owned by Peter Mallouk, the son of Egyptian immigrants, had also pursued Salah. The American club was prepared to offer a contract package that would have made Salah the second-highest paid player in MLS behind Lionel Messi.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described the move to Turkey as incomprehensible for Salah, who was named the Premier League's best player two seasons ago while winning the league title.
Agent Ramy Abbas had previously stated in March: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows." Trabzonspor completed the signing despite competing offers, aiming for a league and cup double as tourism and commercial activity increase in the city.
