Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah received a spectacular reception from Trabzonspor supporters upon arriving in Istanbul, as he moves closer to completing his highly anticipated transfer to the Turkish Super Lig club.
The arrival follows Trabzonspor’s official announcement confirming negotiations with the former Liverpool forward, with club officials expressing optimism that the deal will be finalized after medical examinations and remaining formalities.
Thousands Welcome Salah
Large crowds of Trabzonspor fans gathered at the airport to welcome Salah, creating an electric atmosphere as the Egyptian captain arrived under tight security before heading for his medical examination.
During his private flight to Türkiye, Salah appeared in a Trabzonspor jersey and greeted supporters in a video released by the club.
He first said in English:
“Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you.”
He then repeated one of the club’s famous slogans in Turkish:
“For us, everywhere is Trabzon.”
Why Was Salah Wearing Number 61?
One detail that attracted widespread attention was Salah wearing the No. 61 jersey during the flight.
The number holds deep symbolic meaning for Trabzonspor supporters, as 61 is the official vehicle registration code of Trabzon Province and has become one of the city’s strongest cultural and sporting symbols.
A New Chapter After Liverpool
Trabzonspor announced that negotiations with Salah are underway, while club president Ertuğrul Doğan indicated that the transfer could be completed within days.
Salah leaves Liverpool after an extraordinary nine-year spell, during which he made 442 appearances, scored 257 goals, and helped the club win numerous major trophies, including:
- Two Premier League titles
- UEFA Champions League
- FIFA Club World Cup
- FA Cup
- EFL Cup
His achievements established him as one of Liverpool’s greatest players and one of the most successful Arab footballers in history.
From Basel to Global Stardom
Salah began his European career with FC Basel in Switzerland before joining Chelsea, followed by successful spells at Fiorentina and AS Roma in Italy.
His move to Liverpool in 2017 transformed him into one of the world’s elite footballers, earning multiple individual awards while breaking numerous scoring records.
Trabzonspor’s Ambitions
Trabzonspor finished third in last season’s Turkish Super Lig and will compete in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
The club hopes Salah’s arrival will significantly strengthen its squad as it targets domestic success and a strong European campaign.
