Salah Completes Shock Move To Turkey

Few transfer stories this summer have generated the buzz surrounding Mohamed Salah's switch to Trabzonspor. The Egyptian icon, a free agent after leaving Liverpool, has officially completed his move to the Turkish Super Lig side. Fittingly, he'll wear the number 10 shirt for the 2026-27 campaign.

The shirt saga alone tells a story. Trabzonspor initially prepared the number 11, the same digit Salah made famous during his nine trophy-laden seasons at Anfield. However, he requested number 10 instead, wanting to match the number he wears for Egypt. Teammate Ernest Muçi graciously gave up the jersey, a gesture that speaks to the welcome Salah has received.

Before that, though, came another symbolic touch. Salah arrived in Istanbul wearing a presentation shirt bearing number 61, a nod to Trabzon's provincial vehicle code and a number supporters chant during the 61st minute of every home match. Thousands greeted him at the airport, turning his arrival into a genuine spectacle.

Financially, the move looks substantial. Reports suggest a two-year deal worth around €17 million annually, plus a signing bonus and a share of shirt sale revenue. Clearly, Trabzonspor see this as more than a marketing exercise. They're building around a player who scored 257 goals in 442 Liverpool appearances and lifted eight major honours along the way.

Nevertheless, the backdrop to Salah's exit wasn't smooth. His final Anfield season saw a sharp dip in output, alongside a public fallout with then-manager Arne Slot. He was reportedly dropped for several matches and later spoke candidly about feeling sidelined. Turkey, then, offers a fresh start.

A New Chapter Begins In Trabzon

Trabzonspor enter this season with genuine ambition. They finished third in the Super Lig last term, securing Europa League qualification behind champions Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Adding a player of Salah's calibre signals intent to close that gap.

Manager Fatih Tekke now inherits a squad featuring one of football's most recognisable attackers. Salah arrives fresh off a World Cup run with Egypt, where he helped his country reach the last 16 before elimination, according to ESPN. That tournament sharpness could translate quickly into Turkish football.

For a club chasing its first title since 2022, this signing changes the conversation entirely.