Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has revealed that Dominik Szoboszlai and other former teammates were left stunned by the intense reception he received from Trabzonspor supporters after leaving Anfield, according to an interview with Futbol Arena. Salah finalized his move to the Turkish club in August following the conclusion of his historic spell on Merseyside.
Dominik Szoboszlai Reacts to Trabzonspor Fan Turnout
Thousands of supporters packed Trabzon Airport and Papara Park to welcome Salah during his official unveiling ceremony in August. According to Salah’s interview with Futbol Arena, the sheer scale of the greeting prompted immediate messages from his former Liverpool colleagues, including midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
“After the reception at the airport and the stadium, the next day my Liverpool teammates called me,” Salah told Futbol Arena. “Szoboszlai and I are still talking. They said they’d never seen anything like it before.”
Salah admitted he couldn’t conceal his amazement at the massive crowds. Speaking publicly for the first time since arriving in Turkey, the 34-year-old attacker described the atmosphere as unlike anything he had witnessed throughout his career.
Did you know? Mohamed Salah announced in March that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, finishing his Anfield career with two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, an FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups.
Researching Culture and Life in Trabzon
When questioned about his decision to join Trabzonspor, Salah explained that he specifically sought out a club where football holds deep cultural significance for the local population.
“I looked up the best places in the city,” Salah told Futbol Arena. “I’ve played for clubs where football is deeply ingrained in the culture. I know that being in a city where people are passionate about football is different from being in the capital or elsewhere.”
The forward noted that hearing about Trabzonspor’s interest sparked his immediate excitement, prompting him to research local neighborhoods and dining options ahead of his relocation to Turkey.
Ambitions for Domestic and European Success
Addressing the crowd of 25,000 fans at Papara Park, Salah outlined his clear objectives for this next chapter. Having built a trophy-laden resume in English football, he aims to replicate that winning standard in the Turkish Süper Lig and on the European stage.
“I am extremely happy to be in this amazing atmosphere,” Salah said during his unveiling. “I don’t recall ever seeing anything like this before, and words fail to describe how happy I am. There are 25,000 people here, this is unbelievable… I have achieved success everywhere, and I want to achieve success with Trabzonspor too, in the league and at the European level.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mohamed Salah join Trabzonspor?
Salah agreed terms with Trabzonspor in August, following the conclusion of his contract with Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season.
What did Dominik Szoboszlai say about Salah’s welcome?
According to Salah, Szoboszlai and other former Liverpool teammates reached out to say they had never seen a fan reception quite like the one that greeted him at Trabzon Airport.
How many fans attended Salah’s unveiling?
An estimated 25,000 supporters gathered at Papara Park for Salah’s formal unveiling ceremony.
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