Frank Onyeka’s Loan to FC Augsburg: The highest-paid Nigerian in the Bundesliga

After facing difficulties in regaining his starting position due to a series of injuries, midfielder Frank Onyeka made the move to FC Augsburg. His familiarity with the coach and extensive international experience have not only provided him with playing time but may also have offset a slight decrease in salary. These factors could also be behind his new contract.

What is Frank Onyeka’s salary at FC Augsburg?

The Nigerian midfielder joined the German team in the summer of 2024 on loan from Brentford F.C., with the loan agreement set to last until June 30, 2025. For the 2024/2025 season, Onyeka will earn €2,450,000, which breaks down to approximately €47,115 per week. 

Team Overview: Onyeka is the highest-paid Nigerian player in the league

For the 2024/2025 season, FC Augsburg’s total salary expenditure is €28,550,000, or about €549,038 per week. Mergim Berisha, a striker on loan from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, is the highest-paid player on the team, earning €3,500,000 per year (or €67,308 per week). Onyeka ranks third in salary, just €190,000 ahead of Croatian midfielder Kristijan Jakic. Additionally, he boasts the second-highest salary among African players at FC Augsburg, with the Congolese player Samuel Essende earning more than three times less than Onyeka.

Moreover, Frank Onyeka leads the list of the highest-paid Nigerian players in the Bundesliga. The second highest-paid player is striker Gift Emmanuel Orban from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who earns €370,000 less than Onyeka.

Career salary comparisons

During his two seasons at FC Midtjylland, Onyeka established himself as a key player and won two trophies. Consequently, he received a new contract that nearly quadrupled his salary. In the 2021/22 season, he moved to England, where his earnings increased by more than 7.5 times, making him the highest-paid African player at Brentford F.C. After two seasons, Onyeka re-signed with the English team, and his salary grew by over 1.5 times, reaching an all-time high. Following his loan to FC Augsburg, it became clear that Onyeka prioritized playing time as he sought to revitalize his career.

Market value: growth despite inconsistent playing time

Throughout his time in Denmark, Onyeka’s transfer value steadily increased. In his first season at the senior level, the Nigerian midfielder won the championship, causing his transfer fee to rise 12 times. Over the next three seasons, he won two more trophies and made his Champions League debut, further driving up his market value tenfold. A successful start at Brentford F.C. resulted in his transfer fee increasing by more than 1.5 times until it peaked. However, in mid-March, an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, leading to a €1 million drop in value. Ongoing injuries and his loss of a starting position in the following season caused another €1 million decrease in his transfer fee. In the 2023/24 season, with increased playing time, Onyeka’s value rose again, and Transfermarkt.com currently values the Nigerian midfielder at €9 million, signaling his return to top form.

Achievements with the National team

Frank Onyeka made his debut for the Nigerian senior national team in 2020. Since then, he has participated in two major tournaments with the team. His most notable achievement came during the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, where Nigeria reached the final but ultimately lost to the host nation, Ivory Coast, earning silver medals. Onyeka has played a total of 26 matches for the national team, scoring one goal in a friendly against Mozambique.

Prospects

After joining the Bundesliga on loan, Frank Onyeka quickly established himself as a key player for his new team and has already made significant contributions. At his German club, he reunited with coach Jess Thorup, with whom he previously worked in Denmark. This connection has likely accelerated his integration and prominence at FC Augsburg. Depending on the successes they achieve by the end of the 2024/25 season, the club may decide to keep Onyeka on a permanent contract.