Mohamed Salah Joins Trabzonspor: Egyptian Star Signs Free-Agent Deal After Leaving Liverpool

Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has completed a surprise move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor after departing Anfield as a free agent this summer.

The 34-year-old Egyptian international has been officially unveiled by the Black Sea club, which finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season and is preparing for UEFA Europa League play-offs later this month. According to reports, Salah will sign a two-year contract running until the summer of 2028.

Key Contract & Financial Details

Contract Duration: Two-year deal until 2028

Annual Salary: Reports indicate a record-breaking package of €17 million (£14.6 million) per season. Some Turkish media outlets claim the total package could rise as high as €23 million annually when additional costs are included.

Transfer Fee: None – Salah joins as a free agent following the end of his Liverpool contract.

Image Rights & Merchandise Clause: A significant clause guarantees Salah 20% of revenue from all Trabzonspor merchandise and jersey sales bearing his name or image. Certain regional reports suggest an even higher share, potentially reaching 100% on international shirt sales.

Squad Number: Salah is expected to wear the iconic No. 11 shirt — the same number he made famous during his nine years at Liverpool. He was also pictured wearing the symbolic local number 61 upon arrival in Turkey.

Trabzonspor chairman Ertuğrul Doğan confirmed that the official signing ceremony will take place on Thursday, 6 August 2026, in the Black Sea city of Trabzon. The substantial financial offer enabled Trabzonspor to secure the deal ahead of regional rivals Beşiktaş, whose earlier negotiations with Salah’s representatives collapsed due to monetary constraints.

Salah’s Arrival in Turkey

Turkish television captured images of Salah wearing a Trabzonspor shirt bearing the number 61 upon his arrival at Istanbul airport. He later travelled to Trabzon for his formal presentation in front of the press and new supporters.Salah had been linked with moves to Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League during the summer window. Instead, he chose the ambitious Turkish club as the next chapter in his career.

Legendary Liverpool Career Comes to an End

Salah left Liverpool in May 2026 after nine highly successful years at the club. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances and established himself as one of the greatest players in the Reds’ modern history.His honours with Liverpool include:

Two Premier League titles

UEFA Champions League

FIFA Club World Cup

UEFA Super Cup

FA Cup

Two EFL Cups

In the Premier League, Salah claimed the Golden Boot on four occasions and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year three times (2018, 2022 and 2025).In March 2026, Salah announced on social media that he would leave as a free agent at the end of the season, bringing an end to his Premier League journey.

Relationship Breakdown Under Arne Slot

Despite signing a contract extension in 2025 and playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League title success under Arne Slot (29 goals and 18 assists that season), Salah’s relationship with the Dutch manager deteriorated toward the end of the year.Slot omitted him from the squad for three consecutive matches in late December. Before heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, Salah publicly criticised the coach, accusing him of “throwing him under the bus” and stating he had no relationship with Slot. He also questioned his long-term future at the club.Salah was subsequently left out of the squad for Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan at San Siro. Upon returning from AFCON, he was reintegrated but never regained a regular starting place. In March 2026 he confirmed his decision to leave. Two months later, Liverpool parted company with Slot and appointed Andoni Iraola as his successor.

International Stage and Next Challenge

Salah captained Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Pharaohs were eliminated by Argentina in the round of 16 following a dramatic late comeback by Lionel Messi’s side.Now the Egyptian star turns his attention to helping Trabzonspor compete on both the domestic and European fronts. His experience, goal-scoring record and leadership are expected to provide a major boost for the Turkish club as they aim to challenge for silverware and progress in the Europa League.

Salah Mode: ON – Trabzonspor’s official announcement captured the excitement surrounding the high-profile arrival.The move marks a significant new chapter for one of football’s most consistent performers of the past decade.

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