Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s blockbuster move to Galatasaray hasn’t just lit up the pitch – it’s also set a new benchmark in Turkish football’s financial landscape, Soccernet.ng reports.
In a league that has long welcomed big names and blockbuster transfers, Victor Osimhen has emerged as the highest-paid player in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The Nigerian forward, now spearheading Galatasaray’s title challenge, leads a glittering list of the division’s best-paid stars with an annual gross salary of €15.1 million.
According to figures sourced from Capology, Victor Osimhen is comfortably ahead of his nearest challengers, Mauro Icardi and Ciro Immobile, whose annual earnings sit at €10 million each.
Osimhen’s journey to the top of this list has been as dramatic as it has been impressive.
After a prolific spell at Napoli where he scored 76 goals and fired the Italian side to a historic Serie A title in 2022-23, the Super Eagles star suffered a public fallout with the club. His 2024 loan move to Galatasaray was headline-grabbing – and so was the financial package that followed.
Though the Turkish giants aren’t footing the entire bill, they’re paying a substantial €192,308 weekly wage, with Napoli topping up the remainder to make a total weekly take-home of €290,962.
It’s a remarkable outlay for Galatasaray, but with Osimhen having netted 33 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions this season for club and country, few would argue it hasn’t been worth it.
Behind Osimhen is Argentine forward Mauro Icardi, whose consistent goal return and iconic status in Istanbul keep him firmly in Galatasaray’s plans.
Despite a season-ending injury, the former Inter Milan and PSG striker still managed six goals and two assists in 14 games this term, and his weekly €192,308 salary reflects his stature and impact at the club.
In third place sits Italian marksman Ciro Immobile, now donning the black and white of Beşiktaş.
The former Lazio hero, a European Golden Shoe winner in 2019-20, has rediscovered form in Istanbul with 11 goals in 23 league appearances. His €10 million annual salary matches Icardi’s, making Beşiktaş one of the league’s top spenders.
Not far behind is Portuguese winger Rafa Silva, also at Beşiktaş, who brings creativity, pace, and an eye for goal following a hugely successful spell with Benfica. His influence in the final third commands the same €192,308 weekly wage as Immobile and Icardi.
Fenerbahçe, ever ambitious in their hunt for domestic dominance, dominate the rest of the top ten list.
Slovakian defender Milan Škriniar, formerly of Inter and PSG, earns €7.5 million a year as the club’s defensive linchpin.
Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Fred – rejuvenated under José Mourinho – shares the €6.99 million bracket with veteran playmaker Dušan Tadić and prolific Bosnian forward Edin Džeko.
Tadić, with 11 assists and 9 goals this season, remains one of the league’s top creators, while Džeko, even in his late 30s, has contributed 12 goals to Fenerbahçe’s title push.
Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri, another 2024 addition to Fenerbahçe, earns the same as Tadić and Džeko. His record at Sevilla and a starring role at the 2022 World Cup underlines his pedigree.
Rounding out the top ten is Brazilian centre-back Diego Carlos, also at Fenerbahçe, whose no-nonsense defending and big-game experience fetch him a cool €6.65 million annually.
Victor Osimhen & Top Ten Earners in Turkish Süper Lig – 2024-2025 season
1. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Weekly: €290,962 (€192,308 by Galatasaray + €98,654 by Napoli)
Annual: €15 million
2. Mauro Icardi (Galatasaray)
Weekly: €192,308
Annual: €10 million
3. Ciro Immobile (Beşiktaş)
Weekly: €192,308
Annual: €10 million
4. Rafa Silva (Beşiktaş)
Weekly: €192,308
Annual: €10 million
5. Milan Škriniar (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €144,231
Annual: €7.5 million
6. Fred (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €134,615
Annual: €7 million
7. Dušan Tadić (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €134,615
Annual: €7 million
8. Edin Džeko (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €134,615
Annual: €7 million
9. Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €128,269
Annual: €6.9 million
10. Diego Carlos (Fenerbahçe)
Weekly: €128,269
Annual: €6.9 million