Why is Mohamed Salah signing for Trabzonspor?
As Salah is a free agent, Trabzonspor would have needed to commit to covering the Egyptian’s enormous wages - but the Liverpool icon also offers huge commercial upside
Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool star, has made a surprising transfer decision to sign with Turkish club Trabzonspor. The 34-year-old striker arrives in Turkey ahead of finalizing his contract, as captured by Trabzonspor on social media. Despite a final Premier League season at Liverpool that saw Salah score just seven goals, his popularity and talent have drawn attention from various clubs.
However, the assumption was that he would have options in the Saudi Pro League, MLS, or even a top European side offering a chance for a final Champions League campaign. Based in Trabzon, on the Black Sea, Trabzonspor are the fourth-largest club in Turkey, having won seven Turkish titles, most recently in 2021-22. Trabzonspor's manager has been Fatih Tekke, and they finished third in the Super Lig last season, behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Salah's signing would make him the club's biggest acquisition, with former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe among their previous players. Currently, Trabzonspor's squad features on-loan goalkeeper Andre Onana and World Cup stars Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral. With his last contract at Liverpool reportedly worth £400,000 per week, Salah brings significant commercial value to Trabzonspor, especially with their main sponsor Papapa holding naming rights for their stadium.
Salah was recently seen wearing Trabzonspor's colors and set to arrive in the city on Wednesday for the signing ceremony.
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