Can Yusuf Lawal Adapt to Primeira Liga Football? Salary and Prospects of the Nigerian Winger

After an extended adaptation period in Portugal, Yusuf Lawal has started to make regular appearances on the field. However, the Nigerian remains a substitute player and has not yet managed to return to his productive form seen during his time in Azerbaijan. Nonetheless, the trust from his team could be the first step toward a contract extension or attracting interest from stronger clubs. The Kick Off Nigeria looks into the player’s finances. 

Yusuf Lawal’s Salary at F.C. Arouca

The Nigerian winger joined the Portuguese team in the winter of 2023, with a contract set to expire on June 30, 2026. Over three years in Portugal, he will receive €540,000 excluding bonuses. For the 2023/2024 season, Lawal will earn €180,000, which breaks down to €3,462 per week.

Team Salary Overview: Lawal Among the Top Three Highest-Paid African Players

In the 2023/2024 season, F.C. Arouca’s total salary expenditure stands at €6,870,000, i.e., €132,115 per week. The highest-paid player on the team is defender Francisco Montero, a former Spain youth international on loan from Besiktas J.K., who receives €1,440,000 per year: €27,692 per week. 

Yusuf Lawal, in contrast, ranks tenth in the salary rankings, sharing this position with Portuguese midfielder David Simao. Additionally, the Nigerian winger is the sixth highest-paid non-European player at F.C. Arouca and holds the third largest salary among the club’s African footballers, with Guinean Morlaye Sylla earning three times less. Among players under 25, Lawal ranks fourth, just ahead of striker Vladislav Morozov, who earns €30,000 less.

Moreover, Yusuf Lawal is in the top five highest-paid Nigerian players in the Primeira Liga. Following him, goalkeeper Dele Alampasu from G.D. Estoril Praia earns €40,000 less.

Career Salary Comparison 

After moving to Neftci PFK, the Nigerian winger began to receive more playing time, though his salary approximately halved. His impressive and productive performances in Azerbaijan led to a contract with F.C. Arouca, where Lawal’s earnings nearly tripled, marking the highest salary of his career.

Market Value: A Decline After Moving to Portugal

Despite nearly no playing time over three seasons in Belgium, Lawal’s transfer value quintupled by the time he moved to Neftci PFK. Upon debuting for the Azerbaijani Premier League team, he immediately became a key player, helping the club to a championship: the winger’s transfer sum doubled in the first year. In the 2021/2022 season, the Nigerian footballer contributed to 14 goals, breaking his own productivity record, and his value increased by more than 1.5 times, reaching its peak. However, after moving to F.C. Arouca, Lawal barely made appearances, leading to his value dropping by half; currently, Transfermarkt.com values the Nigerian winger at €400,000.

The National Team

In 2015, Yusuf Lawal was called up to the Nigerian U23 national team for the preparation of the African Nations Cup 2015. However, the winger did not make the final squad and has not been called up to the national team since then.

Football and Financial Prospects

For the first part of the 2023/2024 season, Yusuf Lawal hardly appeared on the field, playing a total of 22 minutes in the Primeira Liga. Nevertheless, in 2024, the winger began receiving more playing time and has already provided an assist in a match against F.C. Vizela. If the Nigerian can secure a spot in the starting lineup and return to his previous form seen in Azerbaijan, there is a chance the club will extend his contract on more favorable terms.