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After months of rumors and uncertainty, Mohamed Salah has finally made his decision on where he'll play next.
An emotional farewell to his storied nine-year tenure at Liverpool was swiftly followed by a strong World Cup run with Egypt, and it's Turkish club Trabzonspor who have ultimately secured the 34-year-old's highly sought-after signature.
Many had anticipated a transfer to either the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer, but Salah has surprised everyone. Not only has he chosen Türkiye over more distant destinations, he's joined the country's fourth-most prominent club, bypassing Istanbul's celebrated trio of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş—the last of whom had even made a formal approach.
So, what drew Salah to Trabzonspor as his next club?
Why Did Salah Choose to Join Trabzonspor?
And here he is with his first message to the Great Trabzonspor Fans:
"Everywhere is Trabzon for us!" ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/KVxNmSbjsz
Trabzonspor have achieved quite the remarkable feat by landing their new star. As one of football's most celebrated figures over the last decade and a worldwide icon, the commercial advantages of signing Salah are immense.
Whether through jersey sales or sponsorship deals, the Süper Lig club, who finished third in Türkiye's top flight last season, are expecting a substantial boost in revenue following the winger's arrival.
But Salah's wages for his two-year deal will be considerable. He previously earned around $539,000 per week at Liverpool, and reports indicate he will receive $19.6 million per year at Trabzonspor—roughly equivalent to approximately $377,000 every seven days. A substantial signing bonus is also included, with no transfer fee needed to bring him in.
Salah's financial incentive for joining Trabzonspor is clear, but the move also gives him the opportunity to continue competing in UEFA tournaments.
The seven-time Süper Lig champions, who last claimed the title in 2021–22, have earned a spot in next season's Europa League, though they must first navigate a two-legged playoff to reach the league phase. Should they fall at that hurdle, Salah will find himself in the Conference League next term.
There are several notable names currently plying their trade in the Süper Lig, including Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan, but Salah stands as the most significant signing in the league's recent memory.
MLS Clubs Miss Major Opportunity
There was a real chance of Salah following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Robert Lewandowski by making the move to the United States. Sporting Kansas City had emerged as the frontrunner among MLS suitors, with a reportedly "lucrative" two-year offer placed on the table.
However, the driven veteran was clearly motivated by the prospect of chasing European glory next season, something that would obviously not have been on offer in MLS.
Several big names have made their way to the U.S. this summer from European football. Antoine Griezmann has linked up with Orlando City, Casemiro has joined Inter Miami and Lewandowski has put pen to paper with Chicago Fire. The league is hardly lacking in star power.
Nevertheless, MLS is constantly looking for ways to grow its global profile, and the most effective method remains signing recognizable names. Missing out on Salah will be a significant blow.