Trabzonspor agree terms in principle for Fabinho signing

Trabzonspor have reached a verbal agreement to sign former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho on a free transfer, with the Brazil international expected to travel to Turkey for a medical within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The proposed move would reunite Fabinho with Mohamed Salah, his former Liverpool team-mate who joined Trabzonspor this summer. Fabrizio Romano reports that a medical appointment has already been arranged, with the transfer set to be completed if the remaining procedures go according to plan.

Romano announced the development in a post on X, writing:

“Trabzonspor reach verbal agreement to sign Fabinho, here we go!Brazilian midfielder, available as free agent as he left Saudi this summer and Trabzon book travel in next 24/48h.Medical also booked if all goes to plan follows@yagosabuncuoglu. Jorge Mendes, on it.”

Fabinho became a free agent after leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad this summer. The midfielder joined Al-Ittihad after departing Liverpool in the summer of 2023, bringing an end to a five-year spell at Anfield.

He arrived at Liverpool from Monaco in 2018 and quickly became an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s side. During his time with the club, Fabinho helped Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season, as well as other honours.

A move to Trabzonspor would see him work alongside Salah once again. The pair spent five seasons together at Liverpool, where they were part of the side that challenged for and won major domestic and European trophies.

Salah has made two appearances for Trabzonspor so far this season. His first came against Kasımpasa in the Turkish league, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

The Egypt forward then featured in Trabzonspor’s second match against Hungarian club Ferencvaros. That game was the first leg of the qualifying round for the league phase of the UEFA Europa League, and Trabzonspor were beaten 1-0 at home.

Fabinho’s potential arrival would therefore give Trabzonspor another player with extensive experience at the highest level of European football. The transfer remains dependent on the completion of the medical and the final formalities, but the club have already taken significant steps towards securing the midfielder’s signature.

If the deal is completed, Fabinho will become the latest former Liverpool player to share a dressing room with Salah after the pair spent a successful period together in England.