Mohamed Salah has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing to a close one of the greatest careers in the club’s storied history. In an agreement with Liverpool, the Egypt international will depart on a free transfer this summer despite having 12 months remaining on his contract.
Salah’s deal is worth about £500,000 a week with performance-related bonuses, so from a financial perspective a free transfer suits all parties. He has long been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but there will be widespread interest in one of the game’s genuine superstars. His agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, said: “We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows.”
Salah turns 34 in June and, although this season has been the most difficult of his nine years at Anfield, his place among the greats of Liverpool and the Premier League is secure. The forward has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool to date. Only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt have scored more in the club’s 134-year history.
In a video posted on social media, Salah said: “Unfortunately the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. … Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.” The club said that Salah “expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them”.
Salah joined Liverpool for £34m from Roma in 2017 and has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup, the FA Cup and two League Cups. He has won the Premier League’s Golden Boot four times and been named PFA player of the year three times.
