After a season marked by injuries and setbacks, winger David Akintola continues to deliver results for Çaykur Rizespor. The Turkish club now faces a tough decision: the Nigerian player’s market value is declining, making a sale less attractive. However, Akintola’s high salary could complicate negotiations for a new contract. Kick Off Nigeria looks into the player’s finances.
What is David Akintola’s Salary at Çaykur Rizespor?
The Nigerian winger joined the Turkish team in the winter of 2024 on a contract running until June 30, 2025. Over three years in Turkey, Akintola is set to earn €1,100,000 excluding bonuses. For the 2023/2024 season, Akintola’s salary amounts to €550,000, or €10,577 per week.
|
Annual Salary |
€ 550,000 |
979,882,761 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Monthly Salary |
€ 45,833 |
81,414,621 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Weekly Salary |
€ 10,577 |
18,788,263 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Daily Salary |
€ 1,511 |
2,684,038 Nigerian Nairas |
Team Salary Overview: Akintola Among the Top 3 Highest-Paid Africans
In the 2024/2025 season, Çaykur Rizespor’s total wage bill is €14,160,000, or €272,308 per week. The highest-paid player at the club is Algerian winger Rachid Ghezzal, who earns €2,500,000 per year, or €48,077 per week.
David Akintola ranks seventh on the club’s salary list but is among the top three highest-paid African players. Following him is Nigerian midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin, whose salary is nearly 1.5 times lower. Akintola also holds the third-highest salary among non-European players at Çaykur Rizespor.
|
Player |
Country |
Annual Salary (EUR) |
|
Rachid Ghezzal |
Algeria |
€ 2,500,000 |
|
Ali Sowe |
The Gambia |
€ 1,550,000 |
|
David Akintola |
Nigeria |
€ 550,000 |
|
Ibrahim Olawoyin |
Nigeria |
€ 380,000 |
|
Khusniddin Alikulov |
Uzbekistan |
€ 220,000 |
Career Salary Comparison
Akintola’s salary increased significantly after his loan to the Turkish Süper Lig, nearly doubling. Following an impressive season with Hatayspor, he moved to newly promoted Adana Demirspor, where his earnings rose by €20,000. His highest salary came after signing with Çaykur Rizespor, which added another €30,000 to his yearly wage.
|
Club |
Salary Euro per Year (EUR) |
Salary Nigerian Nairas per Year (NGN) |
|
Caykur Rizespor (2023/2025) |
€ 550,000 |
979,882,761 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Adana Demirspor (2021/2023) |
€ 520,000 |
923,692,601 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Hatayspor (2020/2021) |
€ 500,000 |
888,165,963 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Midtjylland (2015/2020) |
〜€ 201,304 |
〜357,582,722 Nigerian Nairas |
Market Value: A Steady Rise After Moving to Turkey
After struggling to secure a spot in FC Midtjylland’s first team, Akintola spent several years playing in Norway, Sweden, Turkey, and Cyprus. Over five seasons, his transfer value fluctuated between €50,000 and €700,000, peaking in 2019 with FK Haugesund. That year, Akintola had the most productive season of his career, contributing to 19 goals.
In the 2020/2021 season, the winger helped Hatayspor finish sixth in the Süper Lig before finally leaving FC Midtjylland. By the time he signed with Adana Demirspor, his transfer value had increased nearly fivefold. Despite a decline in performance, his value continued to rise, reaching a peak of €2.6 million. However, injuries in the current season led to a sharp decline, and his transfer value nearly halved. Currently, Transfermarkt.com values the winger at €1.4 million, the ninth-highest at Çaykur Rizespor.
|
Club |
Year |
Market Value |
|
Caykur Rizespor |
2024 (October) |
€ 1,400,000 |
|
Caykur Rizespor |
2024 (June) |
€ 1,600,000 |
|
Adana Demirspor |
2023 |
€ 2,400,000 |
|
Adana Demirspor |
2022 |
€ 2,600,000 |
|
Adana Demirspor |
2021 |
€ 2,400,000 |
|
FC Midtjylland/ Hatayspor |
2020 |
€ 500,000 |
|
Rosenborg BK |
2019 |
€ 700,000 |
|
FK Haugesund |
2018 |
€ 500,000 |
|
FK Jerv |
2017 |
€ 150,000 |
|
FC Midtjylland |
2015-2016 |
€ 50,000 |
National Team
David Akintola has never been called up to the Nigerian national team. The winger settled in Turkey only four years ago, following a series of loan spells that kept him off the radar of the national team’s coaches.
Football and Financial Prospects
In the 2024/2025 season, David Akintola regularly features in Çaykur Rizespor’s starting lineup. Moreover, he has already contributed to several goals and played a key role in securing important victories for the club. If he maintains this form and improves his statistics, there is a strong chance the club will extend his contract.
