Salah receives hero's welcome ahead of Trabzonspor switch

ByCharlotte Coates

BBC Sport journalist

Published

5 August 2026

Updated 2 hours ago

Turkish side Trabzonspor is ready to confirm the signing of Mohamed Salah after the Egypt captain was surrounded by supporters upon landing in Turkey.

Hundreds of fans assembled outside Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Wednesday as Salah appeared in Trabzonspor kit and interacted with the enthusiastic group.

The 34-year-old striker departed Liverpool at the close of last season following nine years on Merseyside during which he netted 257 goals.

Details on Salah's pay at Trabzonspor remain unknown but as a free agent the Super Lig outfit can allocate more resources to his salary.

Salah who has netted 50 Champions League goals will feature in European competition with Trabzonspor next term after they placed third eight points adrift of champions Galatasaray.

Should they miss out on the Europa League league phase through the play-offs they will fall into the Conference League.

Salah became Liverpool's top earner ever when he agreed a reported 400000-a-week deal in April 2025.

Trabzonspor will stage a presentation for Salah at Papara Park on Thursday at 1730 BST.

The club has invited fans to attend in the new season's shirts and mark the occasion as Salah is unveiled as Trabzonspor's new number 10.

Nicknamed the Black Sea Storm Trabzonspor have secured seven league titles six of them between 1976 and 1984.

In 2022 they achieved their latest league triumph ending a 38-year drought.

Located in the north-eastern city of Trabzon they rank among only six clubs to have lifted the Turkish Super Lig.

Salah's arrival marks the club's most significant signing as he joins ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in wearing the claret and sky blue jersey.

He contributed to Liverpool's two Premier League titles the Champions League the Club World Cup Uefa Super Cup FA Cup and two EFL Cups.

While in England the Egyptian claimed the Premier League Golden Boot four times and earned the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award three times in 2018 2022 and 2025.

Yet despite 29 goals and 18 assists in Liverpool's 2024-25 title-winning campaign Salah's playing time reduced the next season following a dispute with former Reds head coach Arne Slot.

Salah excitement sweeps across Turkey

Since declaring his exit from Liverpool a year before his two-year contract extension concluded the football community has speculated on his next destination.

Following a strong World Cup showing where Egypt advanced to the round of 16 for the first time before a narrow defeat to Argentina Salah was linked with another Turkish club Besiktas.

After talks collapsed reportedly over financial terms Salah agreed terms with Trabzonspor instead.

The Turkish club used social media on Tuesday evening to hint at Salah's arrival by displaying the Pyramids in a video alongside Papara Park.

Soon after another post noted negotiations had started between Salah and Trabzonspor then revealed how his Wednesday flight to Istanbul could be followed.

Trabzon are you ready See you very soon he stated in a video from a private jet shared on social media.

Trabzonspor's flight tracking proved useful as large crowds gathered at the airport to greet Salah who received a celebrity-style welcome.

Further memorable moments occurred when Salah reached Trabzon airport later on Wednesday as he led supporters in the club's traditional three-count chant.

As one of sport's major global figures this move represents a major step for Trabzonspor.

Their current squad features on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana along with a pair of Cape Verde's World Cup players in Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral.

Among Turkish football's major acquisitions

ByBurak Abatay

BBC News Turkish

There is little question that Trabzonspor have secured one of the largest transfers in Turkish football history.

The nation has hosted global names before with Roberto Carlos Didier Drogba Robin van Persie Samuel Eto'o Mesut Ozil and Wesley Sneijder all featuring in the Super Lig.

This term fans can watch N'Golo Kante and Ederson at Fenerbahce Victor Osimhen Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane at Galatasaray and now Salah at Trabzonspor.

A transfer of this scale however signals a notable shift for Trabzonspor who while challenging for the title have prioritised youth development and spotting resale talent.

With the league increasingly led by Fenerbahce and Galatasaray interest among Trabzonspor supporters had waned and Papara Park was frequently under capacity.

Signing Salah aims to reverse that trend.

His presence should draw fans back and boost shirt sales substantially. It may also expand Trabzonspor's commercial reach into the Middle East while sparking extra attention from the Arab community in Trabzon and visitors to the city.

It marks a daring strategic move for Trabzonspor and Salah brings fresh excitement.

Salah excitement sweeps across Turkey

Among Turkish football's major acquisitions

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