Mohamed Salah received a hero’s welcome in Turkey on Wednesday as hundreds of Trabzonspor supporters gathered at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport to greet the Egyptian star ahead of his expected move to the Turkish Super Lig side.

The former Liverpool forward stepped off his flight already wearing the club’s burgundy and blue colours, smiling and waving to the excited crowd that had jostled for a glimpse of him.

Salah’s arrival capped days of anticipation after Trabzonspor confirmed they were in negotiations with the 34 year old, who left Liverpool this summer following a remarkable nine year spell at Anfield.

During his time on Merseyside, Salah scored 257 goals in 442 appearances, finishing as the club’s third all time top scorer and reaching 50 Champions League goals along the way. He also became Liverpool’s highest paid player after signing a reported £400,000 a week contract in 2025.

In a video message posted by Trabzonspor before he landed, Salah addressed fans directly, telling them Trabzon should get ready because he could hear them and would see them very soon, echoing the club’s motto that everywhere is Trabzon to them. Once on the ground, he joined supporters in a traditional chant, with some fans reportedly shouting religious phrases of celebration as he made his way through the terminal.

Since the move is being completed on a free transfer, Trabzonspor are expected to direct a larger share of their budget toward Salah’s wages rather than a transfer fee. Reports suggest he will earn an annual salary in the region of €17 million, alongside a signing bonus of about €5 million and a percentage of future sales of jerseys carrying his name, figures that would rank among the biggest deals in the club’s history.

Club chairman, Ertugrul Dogan said the formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in the Black Sea city of Trabzon on Thursday.

Trabzonspor, regarded as Turkey’s fourth biggest club behind the Istanbul sides, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas, finished third in the Super Lig last season and will now enter continental competition with one of world football’s most recognisable names in their ranks, a signing many in Turkish football have already described as one of the biggest shocks of the year.

Photo Credit: The Independent