Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah arrives at arrives at Trabzon Airport to complete his transfer to Turkish football club Trabzonspor in Trabzon. AFP
Thousands of Trabzonspor supporters gathered at the airport carrying flares and chanting to welcome the Egyptian forward as he stepped off a private jet wearing the club's blue-and-maroon colors.
"I just want to say I'm very happy to be here. Honestly, I find it difficult to describe how surprised and happy I am because there are 25,000 people here. I don't remember ever receiving a welcome like this before," Salah told reporters gathered at the arrivals area.
Salah said he would do everything he could to achieve success with the club both domestically and in Europe, adding that he had been successful with every club he had played for during his career.
Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan thanked the fans, saying Salah was a global star and that the club's supporters had shown how to welcome world-class players. Salah then left the airport with Doğan in the club president's car.
The 34-year-old's arrival in Trabzon followed an earlier stop in Istanbul, where he was mobbed by hundreds of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him at Ataturk Airport. Doğan had said the club expected to sign the Egyptian on a free transfer after his contract with Liverpool ended at the close of last season.
Trabzonspor said in a statement that a signing ceremony for Salah would be held at Papara Park on Thursday, August 6, at 7:30pm, inviting fans to attend wearing the club's new season jerseys.
Salah left Liverpool after nine seasons and 257 goals in 442 games, making him the third-highest goal scorer in the club's history. Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Süper Lig last season and also won the Turkish Cup.
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