Why is Mohamed Salah signing for Turkish club Trabzonspor? Explaining ex-Liverpool star's surprise move

Why is Mohamed Salah signing for Turkish club Trabzonspor? Explaining ex-Liverpool star's surprise move originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>A new chapter has begun for superstar winger Mohamed Salah, as the 34-year-old changes clubs for the first time in a decade.

>Salah departed Liverpool this summer after the expiration of his Anfield contract, having brought Reds fans untold joy and glory throughout his time on Merseyside.

>Now in the twilight of his career, Salah begins a new adventure, surprising many with a move across Europe to the eastern reaches of the continent instead of the more expected destinations of Saudi Arabia or the United States.

>The Sporting News brings you the details of Salah's move to Trabzonspor, where he will begin the next stage of his career.

An incredible welcome for Mo Salah by Trabzonspor fans 🫶 pic.twitter.com/ZUwuBRcBpR

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 5, 2026Why is Mohamed Salah signing for Trabzonspor?It was surprising that Mo Salah spurned clubs in Saudi Arabia to join Turkish side Trabzonspor, with the Egyptian remaining in Europe rather than moving to a more lucrative environment.

>It appears that Salah did not wish to be done with playing in European competition just yet, still believing he has something to offer at the game's highest level.

Mohamed Salah contract, salary at TrabzonsporAccording to reports in Turkey, passed on by English publication The Sun, Mo Salah will be compensated handsomely after signing for Trabzonspor.

>The Egyptian will reportedly bank €424,600 per week between salary and bonuses at Trabzonspor, having signed a two-year deal with the club.

What was Mohamed Salah's salary at Liverpool?While his Trabzonspor wages don't quite match up with the incredible money he was making at Liverpool, they're not too far off either.

>Salah was reportedly earning about €466,900 per week at Liverpool, so he has found a landing spot to almost match his previous earnings while still being able to play in European competition.

Where are Trabzonspor from?Trabzonspor are the fourth-most popular club in Turkey, behind giants Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.

>They finished third in the Super Lig table last season, behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but well ahead of Besiktas and the other big club in Turkey, Istanbul Basaksehir.

Do Trabzonspor play in the Champions LeagueFor the coming 2026/27 season, Trabzonspor will not be playing in the Champions League. Instead, they have qualified for the UEFA Europa League, the second-tier competition in Europe.

>Thanks to their third-place finish in the Super Lig table last year, Trabzonspor have qualified for the playoff round, needing to win a two-legged matchup in order to qualify for the group stage.

>They are scheduled to face either Hungarian side Ferencvaros or Polish club Gornik Zabrze in that matchup, with the first leg on August 20 and the second leg seven days later.