Mohamed Salah set for Trabzonspor unveiling as Europa League fixtures emerge

Mohamed Salah is expected to arrive in Turkey on Wednesday to complete his move to Trabzonspor, with the club reportedly planning to announce the deal and present the former Liverpool forward to supporters on Thursday.

Salah is due to sign a two-year contract with the Turkish club, according to Turkish reports, and his signing could be confirmed at Papara Park, Trabzonspor’s home stadium.

The Egypt captain is expected to begin his time at Trabzonspor with a demanding schedule, with the club set to play nine matches before the international break in September.

Six of those fixtures will come in the Turkish league, including a meeting with Galatasaray on 20 September. Trabzonspor will also have three Europa League matches, including a first-round league-phase fixture if they qualify.

The proposed schedule at the start of Salah’s expected Trabzonspor career is:

– 15 August: Kasımpasa v Trabzonspor – Turkish league, round one – 20 August: Trabzonspor v Ferencvarosi or Gornik Zabrze – Europa League – 23 August: Trabzonspor v Basaksehir – Turkish league, round two – 27 August: Trabzonspor v Ferencvarosi or Gornik Zabrze – Europa League qualifying play-off second leg – 30 August: Amedspor v Trabzonspor – Turkish league, round three – 6 September: Trabzonspor v Genclerbirligi – Turkish league, round four – 13 September: Konyaspor v Trabzonspor – Turkish league, round five – 17 September: First league-phase match in the Europa League, if Trabzonspor qualify – 20 September: Trabzonspor v Galatasaray – Turkish league, round six

Turkish broadcaster HT Spor reported that Salah’s signing ceremony will take place on Thursday at Papara Park.

Transfer journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu also reported that Trabzonspor had reached a final agreement with Salah. He said the player had agreed to a two-season contract and would arrive in Istanbul at 12:00 on Wednesday to complete the paperwork before the official announcement.

The Turkish newspaper Sabah previously reported that Salah was close to joining Trabzonspor after the club made an improved offer. That report said he would earn an estimated €17m (£14.7m) per year, in addition to bonuses.

Trabzonspor are also expected to provide Salah with a private aircraft from Greece, where he is spending his holiday, so he can travel to Turkey on Wednesday ahead of the announcement.

French website Foot Mercato has reported that Trabzonspor are close to signing the former Liverpool player. Turkish outlet Ajansspor said the proposed two-year deal would include an annual salary of €17m plus €5m in bonuses, as well as 20% of shirt-sale revenue for Salah.

The reports come after Besiktas withdrew from negotiations with Salah because of the financial demands made by his agent, Ramy Abbas. There had also previously been a reported offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad for the Egypt captain.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan previously said on Turkish television channel A Spor: “Who would not want to sign a player like Mohamed Salah? I wish for that too, but so far there is no agreement.”

He added: “I do not want to talk about whether we have contacted Mohamed Salah or not. As president of the club, I must protect the interests of Trabzonspor, so we have to choose our words carefully.”

Dogan also said: “If there is any development regarding transfers, we will inform our supporters and the public immediately.”

Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years at the club. He returned from the World Cup with Egypt after their last-16 elimination by Argentina.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish league last season and will enter the Europa League in the qualifying play-off round. Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” and Ayman Abdelaziz have previously represented the club.