Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah has officially put pen to paper to join Trabzonspor, several weeks after quitting Anfield in an agreement to terminate his contract 12 months ahead of schedule. Besiktas and Al Ittihad were among the clubs that expressed interest in Salah, but the Egyptian has instead opted for Trabzonspor, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
They could consequently feature in Europa League football in the coming months should they progress through the play-off round. And Salah said in his first message to the Turkish club’s supporters after his move was confirmed: “Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon.” Trabzonspor fans are gathering in considerable numbers at Istanbul airport for when Salah touches down after a deal was struck with the forward on Tuesday.
Salah had been without a club since cutting short his Liverpool contract a year early following a disappointing season under Arne Slot.
Besiktas, fellow Turkish outfit, and Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad were among those who had sought to secure his services. However, Trabzonspor has ultimately won the battle for his signature.
The transfer was officially confirmed via a video of Salah in a Trabzonspor shirt. He also gave a short video message which concluded with a short phrase in Turkish.
“I never believed he was going to go to Saudi,” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said on The Football Ramble. “Number one, he is too good for that, and I think he could be playing in Serie A.
“Turkey, for me, feels like a level too low. I was convinced he would end up an AC Milan or a Juventus. Maybe his wages were a problem.
“I don’t know him but he is like Cristiano Ronaldo. He is so driven and his numbers mean so much to him. I thought, and he can still do this in Turkey, that he would want to play for a real prestigious club.
“Obviously his wage demands have probably put a few people off, but I thought he might curb those demands a bit to get a better club.
“Go to a Milan or a Juventus, play in the San Siro, play in Europe. Turkey, I just think he is better than that.”