Mohamed Salah: Career, records and the move to Trabzonspor in Türkiye

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

TRABZON, Türkiye — Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has entered a new chapter with Trabzonspor after ending a record-filled nine-year Liverpool career that established him among the greatest African footballers of his generation.

Trabzonspor said it opened transfer negotiations with Salah on Aug. 4, confirmed that he completed medical examinations in Istanbul the following day and later described him as its “new signing.” A public signing ceremony was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Papara Park. The club had not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement at the time of publication.

Who is Mohamed Salah?

Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly was born on June 15, 1992, in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate and grew up in Nagrig, a village north of Cairo. His route to elite football began at El Mokawloon, also known as Arab Contractors, where he progressed through the youth system and made his senior debut at 17.

His early career required long journeys between his home region and Cairo for training. That period helped shape the pace, discipline and determination that later became central to his game. Salah’s performances in Egypt and at youth international level attracted attention from European scouts, leading to a move to Swiss club Basel in 2012.

From Basel to Chelsea and Roma

Salah adapted quickly at Basel, contributing in domestic competition and European matches. His performances against Chelsea raised his profile, and the London club signed him in January 2014.

Regular playing time proved difficult to secure at Chelsea. Salah subsequently moved to Italy, first joining Fiorentina on loan and then Roma, where he developed into a more complete attacker. His speed remained a major strength, while his movement, finishing and decision-making improved during his Serie A period.

Liverpool signed him from Roma in June 2017. The move returned Salah to the Premier League and became the defining transfer of his career.

Nine transformative seasons at Liverpool

Salah scored 44 goals in 52 appearances during his first Liverpool season, immediately establishing himself as the team’s principal attacking threat. Playing largely from the right side, he combined with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané in one of European football’s most productive forward lines.

Across nine seasons, Salah made 442 appearances for Liverpool, scored 257 goals and registered 120 assists. He finished as the club’s third-highest scorer in all competitions, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, and became Liverpool’s leading Premier League goalscorer.

His major team honors included two Premier League titles, the 2019 UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and two League Cups. He also helped Liverpool end a 30-year wait for an English league championship in the 2019-20 season.

Premier League and European records

Salah left England with 193 Premier League goals and 94 assists from 328 appearances, including 191 league goals for Liverpool. Those figures placed him fourth on the competition’s all-time scoring list and made him its highest-scoring African player.

He won four Premier League Golden Boots, matching Thierry Henry’s record. His 2024-25 campaign was particularly significant: Salah produced 29 goals and 18 assists, setting the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-match Premier League season.

Salah also became the first player to win the Premier League Player of the Season, Golden Boot and Playmaker awards during the same campaign. His 287 career goal involvements placed him behind only Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in the league’s historical rankings when he left Liverpool.

In Europe, Salah reached 50 UEFA Champions League goals in 98 appearances. UEFA lists him as the tournament’s highest-scoring African player and the African footballer with the most appearances in the competition.

His hat-trick against Rangers in October 2022, completed in six minutes and 12 seconds, remains the fastest in Champions League history. Of his 50 Champions League goals, 47 were scored for Liverpool, two for Basel and one for Roma.

Egypt captain and national symbol

Salah made his senior Egypt debut in 2011 and became the central figure of the national team. One of his most important international moments came in October 2017, when his stoppage-time penalty against Congo secured Egypt’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament.

He also helped Egypt reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2017 and 2021. At the 2026 World Cup, Egypt recorded its first victory in tournament history by defeating New Zealand 3-1, with Salah scoring during the comeback.

That goal made Salah the first Egyptian player to score at two different World Cup tournaments. His contribution to Egypt has made him one of the country’s most prominent sporting figures and a symbol of Egyptian football internationally.

Salah has also maintained strong links with Nagrig. FIFA has highlighted his support for projects in his home community, including educational initiatives and assistance for local residents.

How Mohamed Salah plays

Salah is primarily a left-footed attacker who operates from the right wing but frequently moves into central scoring positions. His acceleration enables him to attack space behind defenders, while his close control allows him to change direction at speed.

Although widely known for scoring, his creative output is also central to his profile. His 94 Premier League assists show how his role developed from that of a direct winger into a forward capable of creating and finishing chances.

Salah scored 155 of his Premier League goals with his left foot, more than any other player in the competition’s history. His movement was particularly effective during transitions, when he could begin near the touchline before making diagonal runs into the penalty area.

As he moved through his early thirties, Salah increasingly combined his pace and finishing ability with passing, chance creation and more selective movement. That evolution helped him remain productive across nine seasons at Liverpool.

Trabzonspor move opens a new chapter

Salah left Liverpool after the 2025-26 season, bringing his Anfield career to a close after nine years. Liverpool officially confirmed his departure in March 2026, before his final appearance at the end of the campaign.

Trabzonspor announced on Aug. 4 that negotiations had begun. Salah arrived in Istanbul the following day, completed medical checks and then traveled to Trabzon, where thousands of supporters welcomed him at the airport.

Trabzonspor subsequently referred to Salah as its new signing and scheduled a presentation ceremony at Papara Park for Aug. 6. Full contractual and financial details had not yet been released through the club’s official channels when this article was prepared.

The move brings one of the Premier League era’s most productive attackers to the Turkish Süper Lig. It also gives Trabzonspor a player with extensive experience in title races, Champions League knockout football and major international tournaments.

For Salah, the transfer represents another significant transition in a career that has moved from a small Egyptian village to Switzerland, England, Italy, Liverpool’s record books and now Türkiye’s Black Sea coast.

WiseNewsPress.com