Why Liverpool icon Salah has chosen Trabzonspor

After months of speculation, Mohamed Salah's next destination has finally been confirmed.

The Liverpool legend is set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor 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.

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

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.