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A European challenge and an old friend: what lies ahead for Salah at Trabzonspor?

The Pharaoh is set to begin his sixth spell in European football.

Egypt star Mohamed Salah is on the verge of opening a fresh chapter in his career. He is expected to complete a move to Turkey's Trabzonspor tomorrow, Thursday, on a free transfer after his time with Liverpool in England came to an end at the close of last season.

Mohamed Salah spent nine seasons at Anfield, scoring 257 goals in 442 appearances, before both parties agreed to bring his contract to an early conclusion.

Trabzonspor in the 2025-2026 season

Trabzonspor ended last season in third place in the Turkish Super Lig, collecting 69 points from 20 wins, 9 draws and 5 defeats. The side scored 61 goals and conceded 39.

They also won the Turkish Cup for the 10th time in their history, defeating Konyaspor 2-1 in the final, with Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu scoring both goals.

That triumph secured Trabzonspor a direct place in the play-off round, which serves as the qualifier for the Europa League league phase. If they do not make it through, they will move into the Europa Conference League.

The draw paired them with the winner of the tie between Hungary's Ferencvaros and Poland's Gornik Zabrze. Trabzonspor will play the first leg at home on 20 August before travelling for the second leg on 27 August.

Salah's first appearance for Trabzonspor

The club's first official match of the new season will be on Saturday, 15 August, away to Kasimpasa in the Turkish league, five days before their European match.

Trabzonspor will be the sixth European club of Salah's career after Switzerland's Basel, Italy's Fiorentina and Roma, and England's Chelsea and Liverpool. Before moving to Europe, he played for Al Mokawloon Al Arab in Egypt.

A renewed meeting after 11 years

Fatih Tekke's side relies on a group of experienced players. Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu spearheads the attack, with support from goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is in his second season on loan from Manchester United, Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic and Albanian winger Ernest Muci.

Salah is well acquainted with Savic. The two played together for Fiorentina in 2015 during the Egyptian star's loan spell from Chelsea.

The familiar connections do not end there. Salah is also set to share the pitch with Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana, a player he has already faced in the Premier League. In four meetings between Liverpool and Manchester United, Salah has got the better of Onana three times.