Ex-Liverpool star Salah arrives in Turkiye before move to Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward who departed Liverpool at the conclusion of the previous season, arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Wednesday to complete his move to Trabzonspor, a top-tier Turkish club. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the airport to welcome the player, who was photographed wearing the club's burgundy and blue kit. Trabzonspor chairman Ertugrul Dogan announced the club expected to finalize the signing on a free transfer basis at a ceremony scheduled for Thursday in the Black Sea city of Trabzon. Salah recorded a video message expressing enthusiasm for joining the club, referencing Trabzonspor's motto. During his nine-year tenure at Liverpool, Salah accumulated 257 goals across 442 appearances, securing two Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy. In the 2024-25 season, he achieved 29 Premier League goals and 18 assists, equalling the league record for goal involvements in a single season and setting the record for a 38-game campaign. He received the Premier League Player of the Season award, the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker Award, becoming the first player to achieve all three accolades in one campaign. His performance declined in the subsequent season, producing seven goals and seven assists in 27 league matches, which contributed to a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot. Trabzonspor, considered the fourth-largest club in Turkey behind Istanbul-based Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas, finished third in the Super Lig last season and qualified for the Europa League playoff round. The club's most recent league championship occurred in the 2021-22 season. Salah had previously been in negotiations with Besiktas, but discussions stalled over contractual and image-rights matters.