Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor, a deal that runs until 2028, and was presented to supporters at Papara Park on Thursday. The 34-year-old Egypt forward left Liverpool as a free agent after nine years at Anfield, a departure that had been anticipated since he confirmed in March he would not extend his contract.

Financial terms reported by CNN Arabic, citing the Anadolu agency, put the package at €17m, comprising a €10m annual salary and a €7m signing bonus, plus performance-related bonuses and a 20% share of merchandise sales. The club will pay a 5% commission to his agent, Rami Abbas. Jawa Pos reported the deal makes Salah the highest-paid player in Trabzonspor's history.

The move ends a pursuit that had included Saudi Arabian clubs, which Khabar Online said offered £170m over three years without success. Iran International noted the transfer is considered one of the most unexpected in recent years, with Athletic journalist James Horncastle arguing it is neither a commercial project like Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi move nor a development exercise like Lionel Messi's Miami switch. A CNN Arabic columnist questioned whether Salah moved too hastily, describing Trabzonspor as the fourth club in Turkish football in terms of status; the team finished third in the Süper Lig last season and must now contest a Europa League qualifier.

Salah's arrival was marked by a massive reception: Hamshahri reported 25,000 fans greeted him at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport, and Salah said he had never seen such a welcome. Former Trabzonspor forward Emre Güral told Turkiye gazetesi that Salah's presence will create space for striker Paul Onuachu, who finished last season as joint top scorer in the league with 22 goals.

Trabzonspor, seven-time Turkish champions with their last title in 2021-22, will hope Salah can help them challenge domestically and in Europe. Their immediate priority is the Europa League qualifying round, which follows their third-place league finish.