Mohamed Salah was welcomed like a hero by Trabzonspor fans, ready to hand the 34-year-old Egyptian a new challenge and a lucrative contract after nine seasons and countless trophies at Liverpool.
A free agent since his Liverpool contract expired in June, following a season below his usual standards, the former Anfield king, winner of two Premier League titles and a Champions League with the Reds, has signed a two-year deal with the Turkish club, confirmed Thursday after passing his medical.
Salah had also been linked with Besiktas and Saudi side Al Ittihad before agreeing terms with Trabzonspor, who unveiled him wearing the club's claret-and-sky-blue shirt after he arrived at Istanbul's Atatürk airport to a frenzied welcome from hundreds of fans.
The move caps an extraordinary chapter for Salah, who leaves Liverpool with 257 goals and 113 assists in 442 appearances, two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cups to his name, along with 68 goals in 121 caps for Egypt.
Trabzonspor, who finished third in the Süper Lig last season and will play in the Europa League play-offs, are chasing a first league title since ending a 38-year wait in 2022.
The club, the only Anatolian side capable of consistently challenging Istanbul giants Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Besiktas, will now share the Süper Lig spotlight with fellow new arrivals Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Leandro Trossard (Besiktas) and Mason Greenwood (Fenerbahçe).