Emeka Eze Faces Relegation Threat and Salary Cut in Turkey

After shining brightly in Turkey’s top league last season, Emeka Eze moved to the top division on a permanent basis. However, in his first full Süper Lig season, the Nigerian faced injuries and now risks not only leaving the top division but also losing part of his salary, which remains the highest in his career. The Kick Off Nigeria examines the player’s finances.

What is Emeka Eze’s Salary at Pendikspor?

The Nigerian striker joined the Turkish team in the summer of 2023 on a contract running until June 30, 2025. Over two years in Turkey, Eze will earn €1,200,000 excluding bonuses. For the 2023/2024 season, Eze will earn €600,000, which amounts to €11,538 per week.

Team Salary Overview: Eze is in the Top-5 Highest-Paid Players Under 30

In the 2023/2024 season, Pendikspor’s total salary expenditure is €14,580,000 per year, or €280,385 per week. Only three Super League teams spend less on salaries. The highest-paid player in the team is winger Mame Thiam, who earns €1,400,000 per year, or €26,923 per week.

Emeka Eze ranks 10th in salary, sharing this spot with Surinamese winger Leandro Kappel. This is the eighth highest among foreign players at the Turkish club. Additionally, the Nigerian striker ranks fourth among the highest-paid African players at Pendikspor. Congolese player Arnaud Lusamba, who closes the top five, earns 1.5 times less. Eze also has the fifth-highest salary among players under 30 in the team. The next in line, Albanian Endri Cekici, earns €100,000 less.

Career Salary Comparison

After a successful season with Rovaniemen Palloseura, the Nigerian striker moved to Austria, where his salary increased more than four times. His earnings changed again after a full transfer to the Turkish championship. However, the contract with Ankara Keçiörengücü S.K. led to a salary drop by approximately six times. Nevertheless, after spectacular performances in Turkey’s second division, Eze moved to a stronger team and eventually to the Super League, increasing his earnings 24 times. The agreement with Pendikspor brought a salary increase of €120,000, making it the highest in his career.

Market Value: Significant Growth After Moving to Turkey

In his debut season for SK Sturm Graz, Eze helped the club win a trophy, increasing his transfer value tenfold. However, in the next season, his performance declined, and not even a loan to Adanaspor could prevent a drop in his transfer value. By the time of his winter transfer to Ankara Keçiörengücü S.K., his value had decreased by 2.5 times. Nevertheless, in his first full season for the Turkish team, Eze set a personal record with 20 goal contributions, increasing his transfer value by 1.5 times. In the 2022/2023 season, Eze not only continued to score but also helped Istanbulspor retain its Super League spot during a half-year loan. Thanks to his bright performances, his market value almost doubled, reaching its peak.

However, after moving to Pendikspor, Eze suffered an injury and was out for almost half a year, causing his transfer value to decrease by €200,000. Currently, Transfermarkt.com values the striker at €900,000. Despite the decrease in value, the Nigerian ranks eighth among the most expensive players at the club.

Achievements and the National Team

Emeka Eze has never played for the Nigerian national team, spending most of his career in Turkey, which did not attract the attention of the national team’s coaches. Nevertheless, among his achievements is the victory in the Austrian Cup in the 2017/2018 season. Despite missing the final due to injury, it was his goal in extra time in the semi-final that allowed SK Sturm Graz to reach the final stage of the tournament.

Football and Financial Prospects

The 2023/2024 season is unfolding unsuccessfully for Emeka Eze. After playing three matches at the beginning of the campaign, the striker suffered a serious injury, causing him to miss 5.5 months. The Nigerian only returned to the squad in mid-February and has since made appearances only as a substitute, spending the rest of the time on the bench. If Eze manages to return to his previous form and help Pendikspor stay in the Super League, there is a chance the club will extend his contract on more favorable terms.