Many Nigerian stars are currently making an impact in major European leagues. Many of them earn large weekly salaries across Europe. According to a recent report from Pulse Sports, no less than six current Super Eagles players are earning over £50million a week. Who are these top earners?
The highest paid of them is Alex Iwobi. With a weekly salary of £120million, this Everton star is the only Nigerian to be paid above £100million a week. The attacking midfielder joined Arsenal’s youth squad as an 8-year-old in 2004. He was just a teenager when he was drafted into the club’s senior team in 2015. Having joined the Toffees in 2019, he became a first-team regular at the Merseyside club. In fact, he had the record of finding the back of the net on his first start for Everton. Only goalkeeper Pickford currently earns more than him at the club.
The next man on this list is Victor Osimhen. This striker is paid a sum of £90,423 every week at Napoli. The current Serie champion has carved out a niche for himself by becoming the first African to win the Italian top flight. The 24-year-old centre-forward has become a reliable butt machine for club and country. This has made him the most valuable African player at present.
Another Nigerian in this category is Kelechi Iheanacho. The 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup winner is currently earning £80million at Leicester City. His teammate, Wilfred Ndidi is paid £5,000 less at the same club. Both if they have been reliable stars for club and country since their debut. Joe Aribo is ranked fifth on the list. This England-born Nigerian is on a weekly salary of £70m at Southampton. This makes him the second highest paid footballer in the league.
The West African country’s sixth-highest earner is Samuel Chukwueze who joined AC Milan from Villarreal on July 27, 2023. The right-winger is on a salary of £62,000 a week. The right winger was one of the best dribblers in the Spanish top flight last season.