Turkish football has long been a stop-off for global stars nearing the end of their careers, so Mohamed Salah's move to Trabzonspor is not without precedent.
The surprise really comes from the fact that he's not heading to Istanbul, specifically to Galatasaray or Fenerbahce. As the list below demonstrates, the Intercontinental Derby rivals have tended to be at the front of the queue for high-profile imports.
Despite many being beyond their prime, some of these star players really made their mark in the Super Lig. Let's see if the 'Egyptian King' can follow suit.
1. Gheorge Hagi
Club: Galatasaray; From: Barcelona; Fee: €3.75m
The Romanian was already a leading star of European football by the time he lit up the 1994 World Cup in the US. That earned him a move to Barcelona, from where he joined Galatasaray in 1996. In the next four years he cemented his spot as Turkish football's greatest-ever import. Hagi won four successive league titles and two Turkish Cups. He also captained the side to the 2000 Uefa Cup, beating Arsenal in the final. He was sent off for punching Tony Adams, but Gala prevailed on penalties. It was the first time a Turkish club had won a European trophy.
2. Victor Osimhen
Club: Galatasaray; From: Napoli; Fee: €75m
The Nigerian striker has scored 59 times in two seasons since joining from Napoli, initially on loan. That was subsequently turned into a €75m permanent move, smashing the Turkish transfer record. It's a good thing Osimhen continues to deliver on the pitch. He's already a two-time league champion and a Turkish Cup winner, and he helped Gala to the last-16 of the Champions League last season.
3. Mo Salah
Club: Trabzonspor; From: Liverpool; Fee: Free
He's yet to kick a ball, but the Egypt captain is undoubtedly the highest-profile player to join the Turkish Super Lig. His stellar career and many achievements with Liverpool mean he arrives with huge expectations. Now it's time to deliver on the pitch. Let's see if Salah can match the performances of the men above him on this list.
Salah arrives in Turkey – in pictures
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Trabzonspor unveil new signing Mohamed Salah at Papara Park, Trabzon, Turkey. Reuters -
Salah takes photos of the crowd as they greet him. Reuters -
Salah waves from the pitch. Reuters -
A fan wears a nemes inside the stadium ahead of the unveiling of the Egyptian striker. Reuters -
Trabzonspor fans with a flare inside the stadium. Reuters -
A Trabzonspor fan wears a Mohamed Salah mask. Reuters -
Salah arrives in Turkey ahead of his move to Trabzonspor. Reuters -
Trabzonspor fans wait for the arrival of the former Liverpool star. Reuters -
Trabzonspor fans at the airport. Reuters -
Salah waves at fans as he arrives in Turkey. Reuters -
Salah will sign for the Turkish side after a successful World Cup with Egypt. Reuters -
He left Liverpool after a mutual agreement to end his contract. AFP -
A Trabzonspor supporter shows his excitement. AFP -
Salah was known as the 'Egyptian king' at Liverpool. AFP -
Fans wait at Trabzon Airport. AFP -
Mohamed Salah is accompanied by Trabzonspor President Ertugrul Dogan as he arrives in the Black Sea city of Trabzon. Reuters -
Salah will join Trabzonspor on a free transfer. AFP -
He will sign a two-year contract, with an official ceremony due to take place soon. EPA
4. Wesley Sneijder
Club: Galatasaray; From: Inter Milan; Fee: €7.5m
Sneijder was seen as past his best and surplus to requirements when Inter offloaded him to Galatasaray in January 2013. A few years earlier, he had been arguably the best midfielder in Europe as Inter won the treble and, as they say, class is permanent. In Turkey, the Dutch playmaker rediscovered form and fitness to win two league titles and three cups. He remains one of Gala's most beloved foreign players.
5. Didier Drogba
Club: Galatasaray; From: Shanghai Shenhua; Fee: Free
The former Chelsea striker was part of the Chinese football revolution, but was able to move to Turkey on a free transfer when his wages stopped being paid. He was past his best, but became the focal point of a successful Galatasaray side, winning the title in his first season and a Turkish Cup and Super Cup double in his second.
6. Nicolas Anelka
Club: Fenerbahce; From: Man City; Fee: €8m
The Frenchman was a rarity in that he joined the Turkish league in his prime, at 26. He spent just 18 months with Fenerbahce but was part of a celebrated team that won the league title in 2005. The following season, he cemented cult hero status when he scored a memorable goal in a 4-0 win over Galatasaray.
7. Roberto Carlos
Club: Fenerbahce; From: Real Madrid; Fee: Free
The Brazil left back was 33 when he swapped Madrid for Istanbul in 2006 but was still performing at a high level, having started all of his national team's games at the 2006 World Cup. He managed 104 appearances across a three-year period and helped Fener win the 2007 Turkish Cup.
8. Robin van Persie
Club: Fenerbahce; From: Man United; Fee: €5m
The Dutch striker was nearing the end of his career when he arrived in the Super Lig in 2015, but still put up strong numbers, scoring 36 times in 87 games. He didn't manage to get his hands on a trophy, but by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Galatasaray in November 2016, he secured his popularity with Fener supporters.
9. Mesut Ozil
Club: Fenerbahce; From: Arsenal; Fee: Free
Ozil, a German international of Turkish descent, was given a hero's welcome when, as a childhood Fener supporter, he finally arrived at the club following a disappointing end to his Arsenal career. The problem was that he was in decline and could no longer hit the heights of his prime years. There were flashes of brilliance, particularly in his second season, but his time in Istanbul was at best mixed.
10. Guti
Club: Besiktas; From: Real Madrid; Fee: Free
Besiktas is the only club Guti played for besides his beloved Real Madrid. Fans still recall his cultured midfield displays and silky passing from his short but memorable stint in the 2010/11 season.
