One of the central partnerships from Liverpool’s most successful modern period is being rebuilt on the Black Sea coast. Fabinho and Salah will play together again, three years after the midfielder left Anfield.
The Turkish club have not disclosed Fabinho’s salary. No transfer fee is required because the 32-year-old was available as a free agent after leaving Saudi champions Al-Ittihad earlier in August.
Trabzonspor confirm two-year agreement
The transfer was confirmed on Monday evening. Trabzonspor announced that an agreement had been reached with Fabinho for the next two seasons.
The Brazilian becomes the club’s second high-profile former Liverpool player of the summer. Salah joined Trabzonspor after ending his nine-year spell at Anfield.
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Salah has already made an impact in Turkey. He scored twice on his first Süper Lig start as Trabzonspor defeated Istanbul Başakşehir 2-1.
Fabinho’s arrival gives the Egyptian a familiar figure behind him. During their five seasons together in England, the Brazilian’s defensive work allowed Salah and Liverpool’s other attackers to operate with greater freedom.
A partnership built on major trophies
Fabinho joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018. After taking several months to establish himself, he became an important part of Jürgen Klopp’s midfield.
Liverpool won the Champions League during his first season, beating Tottenham 2-0 in the final. The following campaign brought the club’s first English league title in 30 years.
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Fabinho also won the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time on Merseyside. He could additionally operate as a central defender when injuries required it.
Liverpool’s official account of his departure recorded 219 appearances and five major honours. The club described him as a central figure in the sustained success under Klopp.
Salah provided the goals, while Fabinho often controlled the space behind Liverpool’s attacking line. Trabzonspor will hope that understanding has survived their three seasons apart.
Fabinho returns from Saudi Arabia
The midfielder left Liverpool for Al-Ittihad in July 2023. He went on to make 111 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists during his time in Saudi Arabia.
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Fabinho helped Al-Ittihad win the Saudi Pro League in the 2024-25 season. He left the club at the beginning of August and quickly began working on a return to European football.
The Brazilian also appeared three times as a substitute at the 2026 World Cup. According to beIN Sports, the move to Trabzonspor ends his three-year spell outside Europe.
The transfer carries little financial risk because there is no fee, although Fabinho will turn 33 in October. His experience remains considerable, with league titles in England, France and Saudi Arabia.
Trabzonspor build around proven names
Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish league last season and won the Turkish Cup. The club are also attempting to reach the main phase of the Europa League.
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They trail Ferencváros 1-0 before the second leg of their qualification play-off. Fabinho’s registration and eligibility for that match will depend on UEFA deadlines.
The reunion with Salah provides an obvious headline, but the signing also has a clear tactical purpose. Trabzonspor have added a midfielder who already understands how to protect the spaces created by their biggest attacking star.
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