Fabinho is set to reunite with former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor after the Turkish club moved to sign the Brazilian midfielder on a free transfer.
Trabzonspor effectively confirmed the 32-year-old’s impending arrival on Monday by publishing images of Fabinho wearing the club’s colours aboard a private jet bound for Turkey. Reuters reports that the former Liverpool midfielder is set to join the Turkish Super Lig side after becoming a free agent following his departure from Al-Ittihad.
The move will bring Fabinho and Salah back together three years after their highly successful partnership at Anfield ended when the Brazilian left Liverpool for Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Fabinho teases Salah reunion
Trabzonspor used Fabinho’s connection with Salah to build anticipation around the signing, with the Brazilian making a clear reference to his former Liverpool colleague in the club’s social media announcement.
“A familiar face is waiting for me in Trabzon,” Fabinho said.
The midfielder was expected to arrive in Trabzon to complete the remaining formalities, including his medical, before the transfer is officially finalised.
Salah made the surprise switch to Trabzonspor earlier in August after leaving Liverpool when his contract expired. The Egyptian signed a two-year deal with the Turkish club following nine seasons at Anfield.
Liverpool pair together again
Fabinho and Salah spent five seasons together at Liverpool after the Brazilian arrived from Monaco in 2018.
They formed part of one of the most successful Liverpool sides of the modern era, winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Fabinho made 219 appearances for Liverpool before completing a £40 million move to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
His spell in Saudi Arabia ended this summer when his contract expired. He made 111 appearances for Al-Ittihad before becoming available as a free agent.
Salah remained at Liverpool for another three seasons before bringing his own hugely successful Anfield career to an end this summer.
Salah already making his mark in Turkey
Fabinho will arrive with Salah already making an impact at his new club.
The Egyptian scored twice as Trabzonspor defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 on Sunday, securing the club’s first Super Lig victory of the season. It was Salah’s first league start for the club.
The 34-year-old opened the scoring after eight minutes before restoring Trabzonspor’s advantage early in the second half after Basaksehir had equalised from the penalty spot.
Fabinho’s arrival will now add another vastly experienced former Liverpool player to Trabzonspor’s squad as the Turkish club continues its ambitious summer recruitment.
