Mohamed Salah Wears No. 61 Shirt as Trabzonspor Move Nears Completion

Mohamed Salah arrived in Istanbul on a private jet Wednesday to finalize his move to Trabzonspor following his departure from Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah landed in Istanbul on Wednesday via private jet to finalize a transfer to Trabzonspor, appearing in the club’s blue and burgundy striped jersey. The 34-year-old Egypt international arrives as a free agent following the conclusion of his tenure at Liverpool, where he recorded 257 goals in 442 appearances. Upon his arrival, Turkish television captured images of the forward wearing a shirt featuring the No. 61. Hundreds of chanting supporters gathered to greet the attacker as he prepared for an official signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday in the Black Sea city.

Trabzonspor shares rose 6.5% on the Istanbul stock market immediately following the official announcement of negotiations. The club confirmed the move via their official X channel, sharing a video of Salah aboard his flight. "Trabzon are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon," the winger stated in the clip. NTV broadcast footage of the Egyptian signing a team shirt while still in Istanbul, marking the end of a race for his signature that previously included speculation regarding a move to Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool Legacy and Statistical Decline

Salah departs Anfield as a Premier League icon with eight major honors, including two league titles and a Champions League trophy. Despite his historical success, his final season under then-coach Arne Slot saw a significant statistical drop-off. The forward managed only 12 goals across all competitions last season, a sharp decline from the 34 goals he netted during the previous campaign. Although he signed a contract extension in 2025 that was set to run through next year, Salah publicly announced his intention to leave the Merseyside club in March.

His exit followed a public falling out with Slot and a period of inconsistent form during the final months of the season. Liverpool’s current preseason preparations under the management of Iraola have been marked by concerns over squad depth and injuries. Salah’s move to Turkey represents a shift for the seven-time Turkish champions, who finished third in the domestic standings last season.

Transfer Logistics and Market Impact

Trabzonspor led the pursuit of the veteran attacker once it became clear he would not be extending his stay in England. The club formally notified the stock market of the transfer talks on Wednesday morning. Salah was filmed pulling on the new jersey while still in the air, signaling his commitment to the Super Lig side before touching down to meet the crowd.

Thursday's ceremony in the Black Sea region will officially conclude the transition for the Egyptian international. The move ends months of uncertainty regarding his future after he opted to bypass the final year of his Liverpool deal. Trabzonspor fans, who greeted him with cheers and chants in Istanbul, await the arrival of a player who averaged over 0.5 goals per game during his nine-year stint in the Premier League. The Egyptian's arrival marks one of the most significant summer transfers for the Turkish club as they look to build on their third-place finish from the 2025-26 season.