Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi’s Salary Highlights Amid Team Struggles

After a vibrant entry into his first season in a top European league, Nigerian striker Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi has experienced a downturn as the season progressed. The dismal performance of US Salernitana 1919 and a personal goal drought have impacted Ikwuemesi. The Kick Off Nigeria dives into the player’s finances.

Salary of Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi at US Salernitana 1919

The former Nigerian youth national team striker joined the Italian side in the summer of 2023, with a contract running until June 30, 2027. Over four years in Italy, the Nigerian footballer will receive €760,000 excluding bonuses. For the 2023/2024 season, Ikwuemesi will earn €190,000, amounting to €3,654 weekly.

Team Salary Overview: Ikwuemesi Among the Lowest-Paid Players

For the 2023/2024 season, US Salernitana 1919’s total salary expenditure amounts to €31,340,000, i.e., €602,692 per week. The team’s highest-paid player is defender Federico Fazio, the former Argentine national team player, earning €4,630,000 a year, which translates to €89,038 weekly. 

Ikwuemesi, on the other hand, ranks 27th in the salary ranking, sharing this spot with Cypriot midfielder Grigoris Kastanos and Romanian winger Andres Sfait. This is the ninth figure among the club’s non-European players. Jamaican Trivante Stewart, closing the top ten, earns over 1.5 times less. 

Additionally, the Nigerian has the lowest salary among African players at US Salernitana 1919, with Malian Lassana Coulibaly earning over 2.5 times more and ranking just one place above him. Moreover, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi is the lowest-paid Nigerian player in Serie A, with Empoli FC’s defender Tyronne Ebuehi, positioned ninth, earning more than three times as much.

Career Salary Comparison

After signing a long-term contract with US Salernitana 1919, the Nigerian striker’s salary increased more than 62 times, becoming the largest in his football career.

Market Value: Sharp Increase Following a Quality Season in Slovenia

Following a season on loan in Austria and the Slovenian second league, the Nigerian moved to NK Celje. By the time of his debut in the top Slovenian division, his transfer value had more than doubled. The 2022/23 season was the most productive in Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi’s career, scoring 9 goals and becoming the team’s second top scorer before moving to Serie A. A bright debut for US Salernitana 1919 increased the Nigerian footballer’s transfer sum by 4.5 times, reaching its peak. Currently, Transfermarkt values him at €1.8 million.

National Team

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi made his debut for the Nigerian U20 national team in 2020. Along with the national team, the striker participated in the qualifiers for the African Nations Youth Cup. However, he has not been called up to the senior national team.

Football and Financial Prospects

In the first half of the 2023/2024 season, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi frequently came on as a substitute and missed only three matches due to a hamstring injury. During this time, the striker managed to make several impactful plays in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. 

However, starting from February, the Nigerian has increasingly been left on the bench. A potential return to the starting lineup is unlikely to save US Salernitana 1919 from relegation. Nevertheless, if Ikwuemesi starts getting more playing time and continues to score, he might attract attention from stronger clubs.