Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool forward, has officially signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor in Turkiye. The 34-year-old Egyptian international joined the club as a free agent after his departure from Liverpool at the conclusion of the previous season. His arrival in Istanbul on Wednesday was met by numerous fans, and his official signing ceremony was scheduled for Thursday.
Salah’s move to Trabzonspor marks an unexpected turn for many, as he was previously linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer (MLS), which would have seen him potentially play alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Even within Europe, some anticipated a move to one of Istanbul’s more globally recognized clubs. However, Trabzonspor secured his signature, a decision reportedly influenced by both financial considerations and sporting ambitions.
Salah’s career at Liverpool and new chapter
During his tenure at Liverpool, Salah established himself as a prominent figure in the Premier League. He contributed to the club winning two league titles and the Champions League, among a total of eight major honours. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Merseyside club, earning a reputation as one of their greatest players.
Despite having a year remaining on his contract, Salah announced in March that he would leave Liverpool following a challenging campaign where he scored 12 goals and experienced a public disagreement with then-coach Arne Slot. His final season at Liverpool was complicated by a deteriorating relationship with the head coach, leading to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
Trabzonspor, a club with seven Turkish championship titles, finished third in the league last season. The club will participate in the UEFA Europa League play-offs, with a potential entry into the league phase or a guaranteed spot in the UEFA Conference League if they do not advance.
Financial and sporting motivations behind the move
While financial aspects played a role, with Trabzonspor committing significant resources, including a reported salary of around $19.5 million per season and 20% of merchandise revenue bearing his name, these figures alone do not fully explain Salah’s choice. Reports suggest that Saudi clubs could have offered more lucrative deals, and MLS presented another attractive commercial option.
However, remaining in Europe appears to have been a significant factor for Salah, who recently helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup. The Turkish Super Lig, while not considered among Europe’s elite, is ranked by Opta as the 14th strongest domestic league globally and offers regular European competition.
Trabzonspor also offered Salah a central role, allowing him to become the focal point for the club’s sporting and commercial aspirations. This was evident in the large number of supporters who gathered to welcome him, highlighting his importance as the biggest signing in the club’s history.
Impact on the Turkish league
Salah’s arrival is also seen as a reflection of the evolving landscape of Turkish football. The Super Lig has increasingly become a destination for established international players who still seek to compete at a high level. Other notable players in the league include Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Nathan Aké, and Leandro Trossard, with Trabzonspor’s squad already featuring names like André Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savić.
Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who spent two seasons in Turkey, believes Salah’s transfer will draw more international attention to the competition. He noted that the league is growing stronger each year, attracting more prominent players, and Salah’s move could encourage other top players to consider playing there. Trabzonspor won the Super Lig in the 2021-22 season and added the Turkish Cup last season.
Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor, rather than a league with greater commercial rewards or a brighter global spotlight, suggests a priority for European football, an ambitious sporting project, and the opportunity to remain a central figure. His official signing ceremony is to take place later Thursday.
Source: aljazeera.com
