Ademola Lookman’s move to Atlético Madrid has taken his career to another level, both on the pitch and financially, as he now ranks among the ten highest-paid African footballers in the world. At 28, the Nigerian forward has secured his place in elite company after sealing a big-money switch that reflects years of steady growth and resilience.
The journey makes the moment even sweeter. Before the bright lights of La Liga, Lookman was once turning out in Sunday League football with London side Waterloo. A chance spotted by Charlton Athletic when he was just 16 set him on a professional path, one that has been defined by patience, hard work, and timely reinvention.
Fast forward to now, and Atlético Madrid committed €35 million to bring him in following a standout four-year spell with Atalanta in Italy. His new four-and-a-half-year contract is valued at about £207,502 per week, a figure that places him ninth among Africa’s top football earners and confirms his rise into the game’s upper financial bracket.
Even with that impressive payday, Lookman still trails his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen. Osimhen recently completed a permanent move to Galatasaray after a loan spell during the 2024/25 season, and the deal came with a major salary boost. The striker now earns roughly £311,252 per week under a four-year agreement, placing him fifth on the continent’s earnings ladder.
African footballers have increasingly become key figures at some of the world’s biggest clubs, and their salaries reflect that growing influence. Sitting comfortably at the very top is Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez, who earns around £870,192 per week with Al-Ahli. His output in Saudi Arabia, marked by goals and assists in abundance, has gone a long way in justifying such eye-catching wages.
Close behind him is Sadio Mané of Senegal, now at Al-Nassr, with weekly earnings of about £664,005. Fellow Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly follows at Al-Hilal on roughly £576,024 per week. Mohamed Salah remains one of the continent’s most bankable stars, earning £400,000 weekly at Liverpool, while Egypt’s Omar Marmoush takes home around £295,000 per week at Manchester City.
Franck Kessié of Ivory Coast earns about £232,402 per week at Al-Ahli, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi is on approximately £226,426 weekly at Paris Saint-Germain, and Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy completes the top ten with earnings close to £199,202 per week, also at Al-Ahli.
For Lookman, joining this exclusive group is more than just a financial milestone. It’s a clear signal that his talent, consistency, and perseverance have paid off, and that his story still has plenty of chapters left to be written.
