Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah was handed an unusual gift by the club's president after his incredible presentation as a new player of Trabzonspor earlier this week
Mohamed Salah being presented as a new Trabzonspor player.
Mohamed Salah was presented as a new Trabzonspor player this week.(Image: Nurgul GUNAYDIN / AFP via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah was confirmed as a new Trabzonspor player this week, with the Turkish side's stadium full and celebrating as the Egyptian was unveiled.
Flares were let off and the fans went wild, a couple of days after flocking to an Istanbul airport to welcome him into the country. There has been widespread delight at being able to attract such a superstar, who terminated his Liverpool contract at the end of the season after an underwhelming campaign.
Salah has signed a big-money two-year deal with Trabzonspor, worth around a total of $40 million, that sees him become the Super Lig's biggest earner, but he was also handed an unusual gift as part of the ceremony that introduced him to the supporters.
Local mayor Huseyin Avni Coskun Cebi offered him a piece of land in Trabzon, explaining that it was an ideal place to retreat from the impacts of global warming.
"Let us gift you a beautiful piece of land in a stunning location that is geographically secure from future climate change impact," he is quoted as saying by the Egyptian Independent.
Egypt is dealing with rising temperatures and broader climate challenges, with Salah unsure exactly what to make of the attempted joke.
Mohamed Salah arrives at Istanbul Airport before signing for Trabzonspor.
Mohamed Salah arrives at Istanbul Airport before signing for Trabzonspor.(Image: Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)
The former Liverpool man could have signed for Besiktas in Turkiye, but those negotiations fell through. Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad was also keen, but he opted to remain in Europe.
Should it progress through in the qualifiers, Trabzonspor will play in the Europa League next term.
It finished third in the standings last time around and has also been linked with a summer move for Darwin Nunez, who is expected to leave Al Hilal.
Addressing members of the media in Trabzon, Salah delivered a message to the fans who had turned out in droves to welcome him at the 41,000-seater stadium.
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"I'm so happy to be in this incredible environment," Salah said. "I don't remember ever seeing anything like this before.
"There are 25,000 people here, it's incredible! I've never seen anything like it! I've been successful everywhere. I want to experience success at Trabzonspor as well."
Liverpool.com says: Seeing Salah pop up at Trabzonspor is slightly strange. Most expected him to move to a bigger club, or at least one that is in the Champions League.
He is clearly loved there already, though, and he will be hoping to take the team to the next level. Do that, and he will have another club that views him as a hero.