Fabinho signs for Trabzonspor to reunite with Mohamed Salah

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho touched down in Trabzon on Monday to seal a switch to Trabzonspor, a move that will see him share a dressing room again with Mohamed Salah, his former Liverpool teammate. The transfer puts the Turkish side under the international spotlight just as it fights to reach the Europa League group stage.

• Fabinho arrives as a free agent after his Al Ittihad contract expired in July.
• The Brazilian reunites with Salah, with whom he spent five seasons at Anfield.
• Turkish reports suggest an annual salary close to €7 million.
• Trabzonspor face a decisive Europa League play-off return leg against Ferencváros this week.

How Fabinho's arrival in Turkey unfolded

As soon as he stepped off the plane at the airport in the Black Sea coastal city, the midfielder greeted waiting local reporters with visible enthusiasm. He spoke of his eagerness to join the squad quickly, meet the coaching staff, and feel the support of the fanbase, a familiar scene whenever a marquee signing arrives in the Turkish Super Lig.

I'm very happy. I want to meet my teammates, the coaching staff, our fans and the city as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity.

The reunion with Mohamed Salah

One of the biggest draws of this move is the chance to play alongside the Egyptian forward again, who recently joined Trabzonspor himself. The pair spent five seasons together at Liverpool, a stretch that included some of the club's most successful recent years, among them a Champions League triumph and a Premier League title.

Playing with Salah again is very special. Besides being a great player, he's a great person. We played together for five years and I have huge respect for him.

The financial terms of the deal

Although Trabzonspor has not officially confirmed the figures, various reports circulating in Turkey put the Brazilian's annual salary at around €7 million, plus a signing bonus. It represents a significant investment for a club looking to strengthen its squad ahead of its European commitments.

Fabinho's fitness after months without a club

Despite going several weeks without competitive action following the end of his Al Ittihad contract, the midfielder said he had followed a personalized training program to arrive in peak condition at his new club. This kind of individual preparation has become increasingly common among elite players who move outside the traditional transfer windows.

Fabinho's career before joining Trabzonspor

The Brazilian built his European career at Monaco before making the jump to Liverpool, where he made 219 appearances and established himself as a key figure in midfield. With the Reds, he lifted the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, two of the most significant trophies in the club's recent history. He later moved to Saudi Arabia, representing Al Ittihad from 2023 until this past July, racking up 111 appearances and winning the league and cup double in the 2024-25 season.

What's at stake for Trabzonspor in Europe

Trabzonspor, one of Turkish football's historic clubs with seven league titles to its name, faces a crucial week in its season. The Black Sea side must overturn a deficit in the play-off return leg against Hungary's Ferencváros after losing 0-1 in the first leg at home. The goal is to secure a spot in the Europa League group stage, a competition in which the reinforced squad hopes to make a strong impression.