Mohamed Salah arrives in Istanbul ahead of Trabzonspor move

Turkish club Trabzonspor are set to complete the signing of Mohamed Salah after the former Liverpool forward arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday. Salah stepped off a private jet wearing the club’s burgundy and blue kit and greeted hundreds of excited fans at Atatürk Airport. He waved to supporters, joined their chants, and headed for medical checks before flying on to Trabzon later the same day.

Trabzonspor announced on Tuesday that it had opened formal transfer talks with the 34-year-old free agent. Club chairman Ertuğrul Doğan confirmed Salah would undergo medicals in Istanbul and then travel to the Black Sea city to put pen to paper, most likely on Thursday. In a video the club posted, Salah declared, “Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon,” while invoking the club motto.

Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years on Merseyside. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances, ranked as the club’s third-highest all-time scorer, and collected major trophies including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. Talks with Istanbul rivals Beşiktaş had stalled earlier over financial and image-rights demands, opening the door for Trabzonspor.

Reports indicate Salah has agreed a two-year contract worth around €17 million per season, a package that would make him one of the highest-paid players in Turkish football history. The deal may also include performance bonuses and a share of merchandise revenue. Details remain unofficial pending the formal announcement.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Super Lig last season and will compete in the Europa League play-offs. The club views Salah’s arrival as its biggest signing to date and plans an official unveiling ceremony in Trabzon on Thursday. Fans across Turkey already celebrate the move as a landmark moment for the Black Sea side.

With Mohammed Salah and last season’s top scorer, Paul Onuachu, leading the attack for Trabzonspor, the Black Sea side have a realistic chance to wrestle the Turkish Super Lig title from current holders Galatasaray ahead of the new season.