Salah arrives in Turkey ahead of expected move to Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah landed in Istanbul on Wednesday, sporting Trabzonspor's distinctive burgundy and blue jersey, as he prepares for a potential transfer from Liverpool to the Turkish Premier League side. Fans gathered at Ataturk Airport to catch a glimpse of the Egyptian forward, who shared a video message expressing his excitement about joining Trabzonspor.

The club had hinted at the imminent signing a day earlier, stating they expected to formalize the deal with Salah at a ceremony in Trabzon, a city on the Black Sea coast. In a video posted on X, Salah declared his eagerness to be part of Trabzonspor, repeating the team's motto, "Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon."

Upon arrival, Salah greeted the enthusiastic crowd, joined them in a traditional chant, and then proceeded to a medical evaluation before heading to Trabzon by air. The 34-year-old departed from Liverpool this summer after a nine-year stint, during which he scored 257 goals in 442 appearances, winning the Premier League twice and the Champions League once.

In the 2024-25 season, Salah netted 29 Premier League goals and provided 18 assists, setting records for goal involvements and a 38-game campaign. He was named Premier League Player of the Season and won the Golden Boot and Playmaker Award, becoming the first player to achieve all three honors in one season. Last season, his contribution dipped, with seven goals and seven assists in 27 Premier League matches, leading to a public disagreement with then-Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

Trabzonspor, widely regarded as the fourth-largest Turkish club after Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas, concluded the 2023-24 season in third place in the Super League and will enter the Europa League playoff round. The club's last league title came in the 2021-22 season. Salah's move to Trabzonspor is still under wraps, with the specifics of his contract yet to be disclosed.