Mohamed Salah has brought one of the most glorious chapters in recent European football history to a close.

After nine legendary seasons at Anfield, where he established himself as a Liverpool icon, the Egyptian is embarking on a new chapter in his career.

Far from seeking a less demanding retirement, the ‘Pharaoh’ has accepted the challenge of exciting Turkish football and signed for Trabzonspor as a free agent on a two-season deal.

This is an unprecedented move for the Trabzon-based club, which has made the biggest financial investment in its history to secure a world-class signing and add an elite talent to its ranks.

With six nominations for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ to his name, the 34-year-old forward arrives at his new club at the peak of his footballing powers and with a mission to break the dominance of Istanbul’s giants.

In this article, therefore, we will analyse the objectives of both Salah and Trabzonspor ahead of a season that promises to redraw the map of Turkish football.

Salah’s statistics at Liverpool

  • 2025/26: 41 matches – 12 goals – 10 assists

  • 2024/25: 52 matches – 34 goals – 21 assists

  • 2023/24: 44 matches – 25 goals – 1 assist

  • 2022/23: 51 matches – 30 goals – 16 assists

  • 2011/22: 51 matches – 31 goals – 15 assists

  • 2020/21: 51 matches – 31 goals – 6 assists

  • 2019/20: 46 matches – 23 goals – 12 assists

  • 2018/29: 52 matches – 27 goals – 10 assists

  • 2017/18: 52 matches – 44 goals – 14 assists

Objective 1: Break Istanbul’s dominance

Mohamed Salah’s first major challenge in Turkey is purely sporting: to dethrone the Istanbul giants. In particular, Galatasaray, champions of the last three Turkish Super League seasons.

Historically, this club, alongside Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, has monopolised Turkish football, leaving very little room for the other First Division teams.

Trabzonspor is the major exception to this rule, as it is one of the few clubs outside the capital to have won the league title (its last league title was in 2022).

And, having lifted the most recent Turkish Cup, the Trabzon-based club will be looking to make the definitive leap in quality to consistently compete at the top and reign supreme in Turkish football.

Objective 2: Competing in Europe

The next objective relates to European football.

Accustomed to performing under intense pressure in the Premier League or the Champions League, Salah will provide the leadership needed for the club to make its mark in Europe too.

In this regard, the presence of ‘The Pharaoh’ will be decisive on the international stage, as Trabzonspor will be competing in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League this season.

Just as in the domestic league, the Turkish club’s firm objective will be to play a leading role in European competition, driven by the authority and experience of its new star player.

Objective 3: The hopes of an entire city

The significance of this signing was evident from the very first moment.

A huge crowd of fans turned out at Istanbul airport to give him an incredible welcome, demonstrating the immediate impact of his arrival on Turkish football.

For Trabzonspor and its supporters, having a player of this calibre represents an unrivalled boost to their confidence.

The supporters see the ‘Pharaoh’ as a legendary goalscorer and a figure capable of transforming the mindset of the entire project.

At 34, his mission in this new chapter has been clear from day one: to live up to such high expectations and restore Trabzonspor to the very top of Turkish football.

Will he succeed?