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Victor Osimhen Salary: How the Super Eagles striker went from earning ₦390 million to ₦33 billion per year

Victor Osimhen is Nigeria’s highest-earning footballer right now, but it did not just happen overnight. Here is how the striker grew his salary earnings over the last eight years.
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Osimhen has taken the football world by storm and has seen his salary skyrocket in recent years as his career advanced. 

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His journey from a promising talent in Nigeria to a sought-after star in Europe is a result of sheer hard work and dedication to improving his craft.

The Super Eagles forward was subject of the 2024 summer’s biggest transfer debacle. Chelsea failed to land the striker after proposing a wage cut, which he rejected

While the proposed move to Al Ahli would have significantly increased his earnings, Napoli reportedly frustrated the move. 

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Osimhen being welcomed to Galatasaray | GOAL

Turkish club Galatasaray eventually got Osimhen on a season-long loan and are expected to cover around €9/10m of his salary. 

A year later, he joined the club permamently for €75m, becoming the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history.

Early Career and Wolfsburg: €4,231 per week/€220,000 per year 

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Victor Osimhen at Wolfsburg in 2017

Osimhen's footballing journey began in Nigeria, where he honed his skills at Ultimate Strikers Academy. His performances caught the attention of European scouts, and in 2017, he signed a three-year contract with German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg. 

His weekly wage was ₦7.5 million, while his gross earnings yearly was about ₦390 million.

Per Capology, Osimhen’s adjusted earnings at Wolfsburg based on the value of money in the current year was €250,454 per year (₦444,466,830).

Charleroi: €3,654 per week/€190,000 per year

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Victor Osimhen at Charleroi

After struggling to find consistent playing time at Wolfsburg, Osimhen was initially loaned to Belgian club Charleroi in 2018. His performances in Belgium were impressive, and the club signed him on a permanent basis. 

However, he took a paycut when he joined Charleroi, as his weekly wage dropped to just over ₦6 million, while his gross earnings yearly dropped to ₦337 million.

However, according to Capology, his adjusted gross earnings at Charleroi based on the value of money in the current year was €214,897 (₦381,227,278). 

Lille: €25,000 per week/€1,300,000 per year 

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Victor Osimhen during his time at Ligue 1 side Lille.
Victor Osimhen during his time at Ligue 1 side Lille.

He caught the eye of French Ligue 1 side Lille. In 2019, Lille signed Osimhen on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of €12 million. His salary at Lille was a substantial increase from his time at Wolfsburg, reflecting his growing reputation and the club's investment in his potential.   

His weekly wage increased to over ₦44 million, while he earned a bit over ₦2 billion for the entire year. 

First two seasons with Napoli: €98,645 per week/€5,130,000 per year

Napoli star Victor Osimhen will cost 130 million euros. || Imago
Victor Osimhen at Napoli || Imago
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Osimhen's breakthrough came at Napoli, where he joined in 2020 for a reported fee of €70 million. 

This transfer made him one of the most expensive African players in history. His performances in Naples have been nothing short of sensational, and his salary has increased accordingly. 

He began to earn just under ₦175 million every week and over just over ₦9 billion per year.

Third season at Napoli: €104,808 per week/€5,450,000 per year

Victor Osimhen at Napoli | Imago
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After two seasons in Naples, the club’s hierarchy decided it was time to give Osimhen a raise. Though it was not a major one, his weekly wage increased to over ₦185 million, and his gross earnings per year rose to ₦9.6 billion. 

Fourth season with Napoli: €246,538 per week/€12,820,000 per year

Napoli star Victor Osimhen || Imago

Osimhen had a stellar 2022–23 season, leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades while winning the golden boot, breaking all sorts of records on the way. 

Big European clubs wanted to sign the Nigerian forward, prompting Napoli to improve his contract and extend it by one more year while including a release clause.

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It was the most significant increase in his career, as he began to earn over ₦457 million per week and over ₦22 billion per year.

Loan to Galatasaray

Osimhen has joined Galatasaray on loan | Getty

Osimhen was a subject of interest for several clubs, but he eventually moved to Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray. 

While details of his contract are not confirmed at this time, his salary is expected to be split between his parent club and loan club. 

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No decrease or increase has been reported, with his salary expected to remain the same.

Permanent move to Galatasaray: € 360,577 (Base) per week/ € 18,750,000 (Base) per year

Osimhen had a record-breaking loan spell at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances and helping the team win the league title and Turkish Cup.

He became the club's highest-scoring foreign player in a single season and the highest scorer in the league for that season. His successful loan was followed by a permanent transfer to the club for an estimated €75 million.

This also saw him negotiate for a higher salary, as he began to earn ₦610 million per week in basic salary plus ₦40,703,413 in weekly bonus.

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This took his earnings per year to ₦33 billion, with ₦31 billion in basic salary and over ₦2 billion in guaranteed bonuses.

Osimhen is still rising and there has been an established interest from Saudi Arabia for the Nigerian. If he decides to make the move at some point, this could see his earnings rise even further, as it would take a big offer to lure him over.

N.B Figures were drawn from Capology and the rates applied were valid as of October 2025.

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