Mohamed Salah sends a message to Trabzonspor supporters ahead of the Liverpool legend's move to Turkey
Mohamed Salah sends a message to Trabzonspor supporters ahead of the Liverpool legend's move to Turkey(Image: Trabzonspor)
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When Mohamed Salah announced that he was leaving Liverpool back in March, few would have predicted his eventual next move. Over four months later and the 34-year-old is closing in on a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The Egyptian had been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while switches to Italy and the MLS have also been mooted. Meanwhile, he was reportedly also in negotiations with Besiktas, prior to their Turkish rivals winning the race for his signature.
Salah will become the fourth former Liverpool player to play competitively for both the Reds and Trabzonspor, while he follows in the footsteps of his former team-mate Daniel Sturridge in joining the Turkish outfit on a free transfer after leaving Anfield behind.
But his choice of transfer has left another former Liverpool striker completely shell-shocked.
Dean Saunders, who also played in Turkey for Galatasaray during his career, admitted his surprise at the transfer when speaking on TalkSPORT on Wednesday morning.
“I’m stunned! What has Mo Salah done?!” he said, unable to hide his disbelief. “And this is no disrespect because I went to Galatasaray. My son was born there and I had a great time in Turkey.
“And Trabzonspor is a big club in Turkey. But why on earth has Mo Salah left Liverpool to go there?
“I honestly thought he’s going to Saudi Arabia. Why didn’t he stay at Liverpool?!”
Trabzonspor won the Turkish Cup last season, while they last won the Super Lig in 2021/22. But having won the league just seven times before in their history, the forward is not signing for one of the traditional Turkish giants.
New team-mates include Manchester United loanee Andre Onana, former Man City defender Stefan Savic, ex-Southampton striker Paul Onuachu, former Everton youngster John Lundstram and Cape Verde international Sidny Lopes Cabral - scorer of an incredible goal against Argentina at this summer’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, having finished third last season, Salah will find himself competing not in the Champions League with Trabzonspor but in the Europa League play-off round instead.
But having helped reawaken Liverpool during his nine years at Anfield, winning every major honour including two Premier League titles - ending a 30-year drought to be crowned champions of England in the process - and the Champions League, perhaps Salah could go on to have a similar impact in Trabzon.