Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has officially signed with Turkish club Trabzonspor. The 34-year-old Egyptian has joined on a two-year deal as a free agent.
In his new role, Salah will don the iconic number 10 shirt. According to the Daily Mail, it was Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana who played a crucial part in facilitating this transfer, as he is currently on loan at Trabzonspor.
Secret negotiations and the role of Trezeguet
Having spent last season in Turkey, Onana extended his loan by another year and reached out to Salah directly. During private discussions, he persuaded the Egyptian to consider Trabzonspor's offer seriously. These conversations have been described as "decisive" in influencing Salah's final choice. Egypt international Trezeguet, a former Trabzonspor player, also contributed to the persuasion.
There was no shortage of interest in Salah, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, and Besiktas all vying for his signature. However, Trabzonspor ultimately managed to secure the contract.
Financial details and sporting ambitions
Over two seasons in Turkey, Salah is set to earn around $39 million. This lucrative offer surpassed those presented to him by clubs in top European leagues.
In the 2025/26 season, Trabzonspor finished third in the Super League, earning a spot in the Europa League playoffs. The club hierarchy is optimistic that Salah's arrival will enable them to compete more fiercely against the Istanbul giants – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas – in the title race and for a return to the Champions League.
