Mohamed Salah greeted by hundreds of fans in Turkey ahead of Trabzonspor move

Mohamed Salah conducts Trabzonspor fans outside the airport after his arrival in Istanbul — Ozan Kose via Getty Images

By George Edwards Aug. 5, 2026 Updated

Hours after it was announced that Mohamed Salah was travelling to Turkey to continue talks over a move to Trabzonspor, the club's supporters began to gather.

The Turkish Super Lig has become accustomed to welcoming stars of this stature, but Salah — a two-time Premier League winner and 2019 Champions League winner with Liverpool — may be the most exciting of them all.

Rather than touch down in Trabzon, the city on the Black Sea where the club are based, the 34-year-old arrived in Istanbul. There, Trabzonspor supporters were already chanting his name in anticipation.

Salah, who left Liverpool on a free transfer in June, was driven through the streets of Istanbul followed by supporters on mopeds and in cars, with horns sounding and flags being waved from windows.

When he finally met his new supporters, he was clearly eager to embrace and lead the celebrations himself — while appearing taken aback at the passion he was faced with.

🔴🔵 Mohamed Salah, Trabzonspor için geldi!#beINSPORTS — beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) August 5, 2026

Ahead of his arrival into Trabzon, the club issued a statement asking fans to avoid lighting flares and remain calm. Did they listen? Of course not — this was the welcome that greeted Salah upon arrival in the city.

O bize, biz ona hayran 🤷‍♂️ — Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) August 5, 2026

Salah will miss out on Champions League football this season, with Trabzonspor participating in the Europa League qualifying round. But taking in the love and leading the chants as he sported the club's No. 10 shirt, he appeared as content as could be ahead of his grand unveiling at Papara Park on August 6.

Tarihi an, tarihi üçlü 👑 — Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) August 5, 2026

The Egyptian is not the first player to experience that kind of welcome from Turkish fans, and he will not be the last. Super Lig clubs routinely announce impending signings before the paperwork is complete, allowing supporters to assemble in this way.

It is not just the biggest players who are met with that kind of reception either. Just ask Darius Vassell…

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, 2024)

Nigeria striker Osimhen initially joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September 2024, and touched down in Istanbul deep into the night. His arrival was delayed by several hours, but for Galatasaray's dedicated fanbase, the timing made little difference.

He was greeted at the airport by swarms of camera flashes and the chanting of hundreds of supporters. Fans posed with their new signing, holding a banner picturing Osimhen seated on a throne in a Galatasaray shirt and wearing a crown.

Victor Osimhen greets Galatasaray fans in 2024 — Islam Yakut/Anadolu via Getty Images

Osimhen took photos with supporters young and old, before flares lit the streets of Istanbul as his convoy made its way into the city for his medical, with fans throwing flowers in his direction.

Darius Vassell (Ankaragucu, 2009)

Vassell was far past his peak when he arrived in Turkey in 2009, but the 22-time England international's welcome was befitting of a global superstar.

The striker was greeted by around 3,000 fans as he arrived in Turkey's capital, Ankara, to a chorus of supporters singing his name. Scarves and shirts were draped over the former Aston Villa and Manchester City player as he walked through the crowd.