Victor Osimhen 1st, Onuachu 3rd: Top 10 highest-paid Nigerians in Turkish Super Lig

This summer, there has been a flurry of Nigerian players moving to Turkey, with the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Gift Orban, Yira Sor, and Chidozie Awaziem sealing moves, Afrik-foot reports.

These players have joined other Nigerian stars like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Ibrahim Olawoyin, and Oghenekaro Etebo who have been in the league before.

Now, some of these players have signed some really financially rewarding deals, and some of their wages can comfortably compete with some of the best in the top five European leagues.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen tops the list and is comfortably the highest-paid Nigerian player in the Turkish Super Lig, The Galatasaray striker earns almost six times as much as Super Eagles teammate Wilfred Ndidi, according to salary estimates from Capology.

The 27-year-old striker has established himself as one of the biggest stars in Turkish football since his move to Galatasaray, and his salary reflects his status.

Ndidi is a distant second, as the Super Eagles skipper joined Beşiktaş last year. But the gap between the two Super Eagles stars is only part of the story.

Here are the 10 highest-paid Nigerians in the Turkish Super Lig, based on their estimated gross fixed salaries for the 2026/27 season. These figures are from Capology and exclude bonuses, image rights, commercial income and other benefits.

Highest Paid Players In Turkish Super Lig

1. Victor Osimhen – €18.75m per year

There is no contest at the top. Victor Osimhen earns €18.75 million per year at Galatasaray, making him by far the highest-paid Nigerian player in the Turkish Super Lig.

His salary of €360,577 per week is almost six times Ndidi’s €60,192 weekly wage. In fact, he earns higher than most players in the top five European league. If he was at Arsenal, he would be the highest earner in just salary earnings.

Osimhen’s high salary just shows his status at Galatasaray after the Nigerian striker established himself as one of the most important players in the club’s recent history.

2. Wilfred Ndidi – €3.13m per year

Wilfred Ndidi is a distant second but still comfortably ahead of the rest of the Nigerians in the ranking.

The Beşiktaş midfielder earns around €3.13 million per year, which is equivalent to €60,192 per week.

The former Leicester City midfielder’s salary is also a reflection of his experience at the highest level, having spent several years in the Premier League before moving to Turkey. However, the difference with Osimhen is striking.

Ndidi’s annual salary is almost €15.62 million lower than his Super Eagles teammate’s.

3. Paul Onuachu – €2.5m per year

Former Southampton man Paul Onuachu occupies third place on this list. The Trabzonspor star earns €2.5 million annually, which translates to €48,077 per week, excluding bonuses.

Onuachu’s salary places him comfortably ahead of the other Nigerian players further down the list. This represents his highest paycheck in his career.

The experienced striker has already enjoyed a successful spell in Turkey, as he finished joint topscorer in the Super Lig last season, with 22 goals. His current earnings just show how important he is to Trabzonspor.

4. Chidozie Awaziem – €1.45m per year

Chidozie Awaziem is the highest-paid Nigerian defender among the players on the list. According to FBref, per Capology, the former Nantes centre-back’s wages is €27,885 per week, equivalent to around €1.45 million per year. He just joined Konyaspor this summer, and he will be expected to play a key role for the club this season.

Awaziem is comfortably above the other Nigerian defenders in the group.

The 29-year-old’s salary is also significantly higher than those of several younger Nigerian players who have established themselves in Turkey.

5. Chibuike Nwaiwu – €880,000 per year

Chibuike Nwaiwu is next on the list. The Trabzonspor centre-back earns €880,000 per year, which is equivalent to €16,923 per week, excluding bonuses.

Nwaiwu’s current contract with Trabzonspor runs until June 2030, and he is expected to earn €3.52 million within that period. However, it is unlikely that he will stay at the club till that period, as he has been linked with Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace and Fulham.

His position in this ranking is notable considering the fact that he is just 23 years of age and has a lot of potential.

6. Gift Orban – €750,000 per year

Super Eagles invitee Gift Orban is sixth among the players with publicly available salary figures.

The Nigerian forward earns €750,000 per year, equivalent to €14,423 per week, according to Capology.

Orban’s salary is considerably below the figures earned by Osimhen, Ndidi and Onuachu, but it still puts him among the better-paid Nigerian players in the Turkish league. He just joined newly-promoted club Amedspor on loan from Hoffenheim, and he will be looking to play a key role in the club’s campaign.

Orban has had stints at Gent, Lyon, and Hellas Verona, and Amedspor will hope that he pops this season.

7. Ibrahim Olawoyin – €290,000 per year

Two-cap Super Eagles attacker Ibrahim Olawoyin occupies seventh place on this list. He left  Keciörengücü for Çaykur Rizespor in 2023, and he earns around €290,000 per year, or €5,577 per week.

That is a considerable drop from Orban’s salary, showing just how concentrated the biggest Nigerian earnings are around the country’s established stars.

Olawoyin, however, remains an important Nigerian presence in the Turkish top flight. He has been a key player for the club in his three years there, contributing 19 goals and 17 assists in 122 appearances.

8. Oghenekaro Etebo – €150,000 per year

Former Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo is 8th on the rankings. His salary is at €150,000 per year, which works out at €2,885 per week, excluding bonuses.

Etebo has played in several European leagues during his career, including the Premier League, Championship, La Liga and Turkish football.

His current salary is significantly lower than the figures he commanded during some of his previous spells in Europe, but his experience still makes him one of the more recognizable Nigerians in the Turkish league.

He is the 12th highest earner at Genclerbirligi, which is surprising as he is the captain of the club. He was injured for most of last season, but he will be expected to play a key role this year.

9. Anthony Dennis – €110,000 per year

Super Eagles hopeful Anthony Dennis makes the list. The Göztepe midfielder earns an estimated €110,000 per year, which is approximately €2,115 per week.

The 22-year-old is one of the younger Nigerians on the list, and his current salary is relatively modest compared with the established Super Eagles stars above him.

The reason for this is because Dennis joined Goztepe as a youth player and grew through the ranks. And he has not penned a new contract since 2023. However, there is a chance that he will get a pay bump soon. He has been linked with a transfer to the Premier League with Coventry City. If that happens, his paycheck will definitely rise.

Yira Sor- Unconfirmed

Super Eagles winger Yira Sor just completed a transfer from Genk to Amedspor this summer, but his salary has been confirmed at the moment. When he was at Genk, he used to €790,608 per year. But now that he has moved to Amed, his wages will likely change.

It is unknown, if he will get a bump or his pay will drop slightly. But whichever way, he will likely be in the top ten.