Salah's No.61 move ties star to Trabzonspor tradition

Why Mohamed Salah chose No.61 for Trabzonspor in Super Lig move: the 34‑year‑old Egyptian former Liverpool forward will sign a two‑year contract with the Turkish giants, swapping his iconic Liverpool No.11 for the club’s storied No.61 shirt that reflects local tradition and identity.

Salah confirmed his departure from Liverpool at the end of last season and began searching for a new club this summer.

He ultimately chose Trabzonspor, a Turkish Super Lig side, marking a major surprise transfer for the superstar.

While travelling to Istanbul to finalise the deal, the forward’s new shirt number was spotted on a Trabzonspor kit. The No.61 badge appeared to carry a special meaning for the player and the club.

During his nine‑year tenure at Liverpool, Salah famously wore the No.11 jersey, a number that became synonymous with his Premier League career. He also wore the No.10 jersey for the Egyptian national team.

Trabzonspor are renowned for celebrating the 61st minute of matches with fireworks, confetti and chanting, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The number 61 also corresponds to the area code of the city of Trabzon, further linking the digit to the club’s identity.

The No.61 shirt has been allocated to squad members over the years, with Cihan Canak wearing it for the last two seasons, preceded by Yusuf Yazici and Abdulkadir Parmak. In total eight players have donned the number since 2000, suggesting it could become a permanent assignment for Salah.

Salah is set to sign a two‑year contract with the Turkish Super Lig side, arriving in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the 34‑year‑old expressed excitement about the new challenge ahead of his official registration.

In a message to supporters, Salah wrote: “Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon.” The statement underscores his eagerness to join the club and connect with its fans.