Top 5 highest paid Nigerian footballers in 2023
Nigeria boasts some of Africa’s biggest players, with stars like Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Alex Iweobi and Wilfred Ndidi all doing well in major leagues in Europe with their weekly performances. And with such impressive performances, comes huge paycheck and Super Eagles are to are set to boast the richest squads heading to Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024.
In this article, crispng will reveal the Top 5 highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023.
1. Victor Osimhen – $20 million
Victor Osimhen tops the list of highest paid Nigerian footballers in 2023. Recently, the 24-year-old striker, who plays for Napoli, made history in the sport of football by signing a ground-breaking contract with the Scudetto winners.
Osimhen’s new deal makes him the second-highest paid player in the prestigious Serie A in addition to propelling him to the top of Napoli’s payroll. This incredible accomplishment confirms his position as the highest-paid African football player in Serie A.
Osimhen’s accomplishment with Napoli in the 2022–2023 season is closely linked to his ascent to financial prominence. The prolific goal machine has become a shining example of excellence in the football world after securing multiple individual and collective bonuses.The 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award was Osimhen’s crowning achievement and a symbol of his extraordinary abilities and steadfast devotion to the beautiful game.
This honour not only strengthens his legacy but also establishes him as one of the all-time greatest Nigerian strikers.
With a contract worth $40 million by the time it expires in 2026, Osimhen’s new contract with Napoli is also the second-biggest contract ever signed by a football player from Nigeria.
2. Alex Iwobi – $7.5 million
Nigerian midfielder Alexander Chuka Iwobi, 27, plays for Fulham F.C. Iwobi’s salary at Craven Cottage makes him stand out as one of the highest-paid Nigerian football players in 2023.
Iwobi made 149 appearances and scored 15 goals during his time at Arsenal, he helped the team win the FA Cup in 2017 and reach the UEFA Europa League Final in 2019.
Iwobi completed a big move to Everton in August 2019 for an initial fee of £35m in 2019 and in deadline-day of 2023 transfer, he left Goodison Park for Fulham FC in the summer of 2023 for £28 million.
3. Samuel Chukwueze – $6.4 million
Recently, Samuel Chukwueze, a sensation in Nigerian football, made headlines by joining AC Milan from Villarreal CF. The high-profile transfer cost €20 million, with an additional €8 million in add-ons, and he signed a five-year contract. Chukwueze makes over £84,000 a week and that’s catapulted him to number three in the list of highest paid Nigerian footballers in the world as of 2023.
4. Kelechi Promise Iheanacho – $6.2 millione
Kelechi Iheanacho is a 26-year-old Super Eagles forward who currently plays for EFL Championship team, Leicester City. Iheanacho has also been a key player in international competitions for Nigeria, contributing to super Eagles’ victories in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Since making his senior debut in 2015, he has participated in major tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
He began his senior club career in 2015–16 at Manchester City, but in 2017 he moved to Leicester City for a reported £25 million.
“Senior Man” stands at number four in the list of highest-paid Nigerian footballers, having bagged endorsement deals with Bitnob and Multichoice.
5. Wilfred Ndidi – $6 million
Currently 26 years old, Wilfred Ndidi is one of Nigeria’s best football players. He plays defensive midfield for Leicester City in the EFL Championship and for Super Eagles. Ndidi is one of the highest-paid Nigerian football players in 2023 but also he is renowned for his strategic positioning and defensive prowess.
The Nigerian player has been outstanding for the Foxes thus far in the 2023–24 campaign and hopes to take them back the the Premier league despite his injury struggles.
Ndidi joined the Super Eagles in October 2015, and he immediately made an impression against DR Congo. He then cemented his place in the team against Cameroon where Nigeria won 3-0. Since then, he has established himself as a key member of the national team by displaying his talent and dedication on the pitch.
Also read: Musa, Ndidi and others listed in Super Eagles AFCON squad
