Eberechi Eze Salary & Arsenal Transfer: Career Money Trajectory

For Arsenal fans, the idea of Eze linking up with stars like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard is exciting, and the club has gone ahead to seal the deal for £67.5 million total package.

Beyond the transfer, one big talking point around Eze is his money journey, how he rose from academy football to becoming one of the highest earners at Crystal Palace, and now a player Arsenal have spent heavily on. 

To understand his career money story, we need to trace his path from the early days, the struggles, the breakthroughs, and what he earned along the way.

Eberechi Oluchi Eze was born in Greenwich, London, in June 1998, to Nigerian parents. Growing up in south London, football was his escape.

He joined the Arsenal academy as a youngster, dreaming of becoming a star for the Gunners, but by the age of 13, Arsenal released him, saying he was too small and not physical enough for the top level.

That rejection could have ended his dream, but Eze was determined. He moved around several academies, including Fulham and Reading, before joining Millwall. 

At Millwall, he impressed coaches with his technique and creativity, but injuries slowed his progress, and in 2016, Millwall also released him, leaving him at a crossroads in his career.

At this point, his earnings were very low. Like many academy boys, he was only on youth wages, around £100-200 per week, just enough for travel and upkeep. 

In August 2016, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) offered Eze a chance after spotting his talent in trials. He signed his first professional deal, earning around £1000 per week, far more than academy wages, but still small compared to Premier League levels.

Eze made his debut for QPR in 2017 in the FA Cup, but injuries limited his early appearances. The club then loaned him to Wycombe Wanderers in League Two, where he earned about £1,000 per week. That loan was key, as he scored goals, showed his flair, and gained confidence.

By 2018, Eze returned to QPR and became a first-team regular. His wages grew to around £5,250 per week after he signed a new deal. By the 2019-20 season, Eze was the club’s star, scoring 14 Championship goals and earning links to Premier League sides, and he earned £7.500 per week.

In August 2020, Crystal Palace signed Eze for £17 million, a record fee for QPR. This was the big step in his money career, as his Palace contract put him on £30,000 per week, instantly making him a millionaire footballer.

Eze’s first season in the Premier League was a success, but injury hit him hard in 2021 with an Achilles rupture. 

However, Palace stuck by him, and in 2023, he signed a new deal, reportedly increasing his wages to £100,000 per week.

By the 2023-24 season, Eze was Palace’s most creative force, as his goals, dribbles, and flair made him one of the most exciting midfielders in the league. His salary placed him among the club’s top earners, with his yearly take-home at over £5.2 million.

Now in 2025, Arsenal’s interest has raised his profile even more, with the Gunners paying £67.5 million, making Eze Crystal Palace’s record sale.

His wages also almost doubled, as Arsenal are set to pay him £175,000 per week according to reports.

This marks a huge leap in his money career, as he has now gone from earning a few hundred pounds as a struggling academy boy to potentially earning over £9.1 million per year at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

For Arsenal, Eze would add depth and creativity in midfield, while for the player, it is a dream return to the club that once let him go, now donning the No. 10 jersey.

Here is a simple look at his journey in terms of earnings:

Arsenal/Fulham/Reading academies (2006–2011): £100–200 per week

Millwall academy (2011–2016): £200–400 per week

QPR first contract (2016–2018): ~£1000 per week

Wycombe loan (2017): ~£1,000 per week

QPR new deal (2018–2019): ~£5,250 per week

QPR new deal (2019-20): ~£7,500 per week

Crystal Palace (2020–2023): ~£30,000 per week

Crystal Palace new contract (2023–2025): ~£100,000 per week

Arsenal deal (2025): £175,000 per week

This shows just how big the jump is once a player breaks into the Premier League, and how a top-six club like Arsenal can double or triple a player’s earnings overnight.

While Eze has played for England, his Nigerian heritage has always been part of his story. Born to Nigerian parents, he grew up in a community where football was the way out for many young boys. His style, flair, dribbling, creativity, is often linked to the kind of players Nigeria produces.

The Super Eagles tried to convince him to play for Nigeria, but Eze chose England, making his senior debut in 2023. Still, among Nigerians, he is seen as one of their own, and his success inspires many. Nigerian Arsenal fans will embrace him even more, just like they have with Bukayo Saka.

Beyond his club salary, Eze has started to attract endorsement deals. He has deals with New Balance, Burberry, CyberPowerPC and EA SPORTS FC.

Moving to Arsenal would boost his commercial value even more, potentially adding £1–2 million per year from sponsorships and appearances.

Joining Arsenal has taken Eze’s finances to a new level. A salary of £175k per week, Champions League football, and higher visibility would push him into the elite bracket of English footballers. He could also land major sponsorships, as Arsenal players often do, with global brands seeking exposure.