For a long time, the deal appeared almost inconceivable, but it has now become reality. Salah was available on a free transfer following his departure from Liverpool FC, where his nine-year spell at Anfield had come to an end. Trabzonspor took advantage of the situation and prevailed in a race that had previously also involved several other clubs. For the Turkish giants, this is a transfer that could have an enormous sporting, financial and symbolic impact.
Beşiktaş withdrew from the race
Salah’s eventual move to Trabzon was also influenced by the development of the preceding negotiations with Beşiktaş. The Istanbul club had previously made an intensive effort to sign the Egyptian. President Serdal Adalı confirmed talks with Salah’s representatives, but sporting director Önder Özen later stated that the transfer had been put on hold “for financial reasons”.
That opened the door for Trabzonspor. According to reports from Turkey and England, Salah has signed a two-year contract. The figures recently discussed included an annual salary of around €17 million, additional bonus payments and a share of commercial revenues. For a Turkish club, particularly one based outside Istanbul, this represents an extraordinary financial package.
Fenerbahçe had also been linked with Salah at one stage. There was also the expected speculation surrounding Saudi Arabia, Major League Soccer and other financially powerful markets. The fact that Salah is not moving to Riyadh, Miami or Qatar, but instead to the Black Sea coast, makes the transfer even more remarkable.
Liverpool legend leaves an enormous legacy
Salah leaves England as one of the defining Premier League players of his generation. Liverpool itself lists him as a club legend, having recorded 257 goals and 120 assists in 442 competitive appearances. He became the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer and won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with the Reds.
His consistency was particularly exceptional. During the 2024/25 season, Salah registered 57 direct goal contributions in 52 matches. Even in the final stage of his Liverpool career, he continued to reach historic milestones, including becoming the first African player to score 50 Champions League goals.
Trabzonspor are therefore not merely signing a major name, but a player who still possesses enormous sporting quality and appeal at the age of 35. Whether Salah can continue to make the difference consistently across an entire season remains to be seen. His presence alone, however, immediately changes the perception of the club.
What Salah is expected to bring to Trabzonspor
From a sporting perspective, Trabzonspor are acquiring a right winger who still offers finishing quality, game intelligence and excellent decision-making in the final third. In the Süper Lig, Salah will probably not be required to play every match for 90 minutes at maximum intensity. It will be far more important for him to influence matches in the decisive moments.
After a long and demanding period at Liverpool, that may also have been one of Salah’s reasons for choosing a move to Trabzon.
The transfer could also accelerate Trabzonspor’s development away from the pitch. Shirt sales, international attention, social-media reach and sponsorship revenues are all likely to increase immediately. That is precisely why the deal must be assessed as more than just a sporting move. It is a statement: Trabzonspor do not merely want to compete, but intend to challenge seriously at the top of Turkish football once again.
Europa League offers an international stage
Trabzonspor finished third in the Süper Lig last season, eight points behind champions Galatasaray. That position secured European qualification, and the club will compete in the Europa League play-offs this season. There, they will face the winner of the tie between Ferencváros and Górnik Zabrze.
Victory in the play-off would send Trabzonspor into the league phase of the Europa League. A defeat would instead see them enter the league phase of the Conference League. Salah will therefore compete on the European stage in any case. The only question is how prominent that stage will be.
For the Süper Lig, this transfer represents a major statement. For Trabzonspor, Salah is a coup capable of changing both the course of the season and the culture surrounding the club. And for Salah, the move marks the beginning of perhaps the most unexpected chapter of his career after nine legendary years in Liverpool.
