RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 6 sourcesMohamed Salah will wear the number 10 shirt for Trabzonspor [Getty Images]
After months of speculation, Mohamed Salah's next destination has finally been confirmed.
The Liverpool legend agreed a two-year deal with Turkish side Trabzonspor on Thursday following the expiry of his contract at Anfield, bringing an end to one of the most successful careers in Premier League history.
The move has surprised many.
For years, Saudi Pro League clubs pursued Salah, while Major League Soccer was also viewed as a realistic destination for one of world football's biggest stars. Instead, the 34-year-old has remained in Europe by joining Trabzonspor, a club better known for upsetting Turkey's established order than dominating it.
So why has Salah chosen Trabzonspor, and what can both player and club expect from one another?
Staying in Europe remained the priority
Money alone does not explain Salah's decision. Saudi Arabian clubs had long identified the Egyptian as one of their priority targets, with Al-Ittihad even making a late approach, while Sporting Kansas City were among the MLS clubs interested in bringing him to the United States.
Both destinations could have offered enormous monetary rewards. Instead, Salah opted to stick with European football.
Trabzonspor finished third in last season's Super Lig and will compete in this month's Europa League play-offs. Victory over two legs would see them qualify for the league phase, while defeat would send them into the Conference League.
For a player who helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of this summer's World Cup and produced one of the finest campaigns of his career in 2024-25, continuing to compete in Uefa competition appears to have carried significant weight.
Why Trabzonspor?
If Salah was determined to stay in Europe, Trabzonspor might not have been the obvious choice.
Turkey's traditional powerhouses are Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, with most of the country's biggest-name arrivals historically choosing one of the Istanbul giants.
Besiktas did attempt to sign Salah before negotiations collapsed over the financial structure of the deal, opening the door for Trabzonspor.
Although they lack the global profile of Turkey's biggest clubs, Trabzonspor are far from outsiders.
They are seven-time Turkish champions, won the Super Lig as recently as 2021-22 and lifted last season's Turkish Cup.
Fatih Tekke's side also finished third in the league, earning another opportunity to qualify for European competition.
Salah instantly becomes the biggest signing in the club's history. The excitement surrounding his arrival underlined that status as hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome him before he travelled on to Trabzon.
Former Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack, who won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers in 2021, has spent the last two seasons playing in Turkey. He was not surprised by the scenes.
"That's one thing about Turkish football - the fans are incredibly passionate," he told BBC Sport. "The big clubs have huge support and they really get behind their teams."
During his unveiling, he briefly wore a symbolic number 61 shirt in tribute to the city, with the number representing Trabzon's vehicle registration code and holding special significance among supporters, who traditionally celebrate the 61st minute of matches.
However, for the 2026-27 season, Salah will wear the number 10 shirt after requesting the number he also wears for Egypt. Team-mate Ernest Muci agreed to relinquish the jersey as a gesture of respect for the club's marquee signing.
Why Turkey continues to attract elite players
Leroy Sane (left) and and Victor Osimhen (right) are among the other high-profile players in Turkey's Super Lig [Getty Images]
Salah's move is the latest sign of Turkish football's growing appeal to established stars.
Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nathan Ake and Leandro Trossard are among the high-profile names now playing in the Super Lig, while Andre Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi and Stefan Savic are already part of Trabzonspor's squad.
Last summer, the Super Lig recorded the third-highest net transfer spend in world football behind only the Premier League and Saudi Pro League, highlighting the league's increasing ambition.
The economics behind that spending are unusual.
Turkey's biggest clubs generate substantial income in euros through Uefa competition while many domestic operating costs remain in Turkish lira.
The country's prolonged period of high inflation has also reduced the relative value of existing domestic debt, giving clubs greater flexibility than might initially appear.
Financially, Trabzonspor were therefore able to present Salah with an attractive package.
Reports in Turkey say he has signed a two-year contract until June 2028 worth around £7.3m per season, below the salary he could reportedly have earned in Saudi Arabia, with additional bonuses and a share of merchandise revenue linked to his name.
The result is a league capable of offering competitive salaries, passionate fanbases and European football to players entering the latter stages of their careers.
Jack believes the competition's profile is continuing to rise.
"The league is getting stronger every year and you're seeing more and more big names joining," he said.
"Salah is probably the biggest name to move to Turkey in recent years. It shows the league is growing and it might persuade other top players to consider going there. There are great stadiums, great cities and it's a competitive league."
His own experience reinforced that impression.
"I loved it," Jack added. "Everyone helps you settle in and the people are really friendly. When foreign players arrive, the clubs do everything they can to help them."
Is the standard high enough?
Despite attracting recognisable...
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