As the current season draws to a close, questions arise about whether Simy will remain in Serie A. The all-time leading scorer for FC Crotone and once the team’s main leader, Simy, is experiencing challenging times. The Kick Off Nigeria looks into the player’s finances.
Over the last three seasons, the Nigerian striker has only managed to score three times, despite being the first-ever top scorer among African players in the professional Italian league in 2020. The key questions now are whether the forward can help his club stay in Serie A and secure a new contract at the end of the season.
Simy’s Salary at US Salernitana 1919
The Nigerian national team striker joined the Italian team in winter 2022, with the agreement set until June 30, 2024. For the remaining season, Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo, known as Simy, will earn €1,850,000, excluding bonuses, equivalent to 35,577 euros per week.
|
Annual Salary |
€ 1,850,000 |
1,808,955,644 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Monthly Salary |
€ 154,167 |
150,725,137 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Weekly Salary |
€ 35,577 |
34,782,724 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Daily Salary |
€ 5,082 |
4,968,542 Nigerian Nairas |
Team Salary Overview: Simy among the Top Earners
In the 2023/2024 season, US Salernitana 1919’s total payroll is €27,970,000, averaging €537,885 per week. The highest-paid player in the team is defender Federico Fazio, an ex-Argentinian international, earning €4,630,000 annually, or €89,038 per week. Simy holds the fifth spot in the salary rankings, sharing it with Italian defender Giulio Maggiore. Among foreign players of the Italian club, Simy ranks fourth. The second-highest-paid African player in US Salernitana 1919 is Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia.
|
Player |
Country |
Annual Salary (EUR) |
|
Boulaye Dia |
Senegal |
€ 2,560,000 |
|
Simy |
Nigeria |
€ 1,850,000 |
|
Dylan Bronn |
Tunisia |
€ 1,150,000 |
|
Lassana Coulibaly |
Mali |
€ 510,000 |
|
Jovane Cabral |
Cape Verde |
€ 450,000 |
Career Salary Comparison
Simy’s salary underwent significant changes throughout his career. After becoming the top scorer in the Second Portuguese League with FC Crotone, his salary increased nearly eightfold. Despite fluctuating earnings during subsequent seasons, his successful performances led to a more than 3.5-fold increase in salary after the 2019/2020 season. However, despite scoring 20 goals, FC Crotone couldn’t retain their Serie A status, prompting Simy’s loan to US Salernitana 1919, where his salary continued to be the highest in his career.
|
Club |
Salary Euro per Year (EUR) |
Salary Nigerian Nairas per Year (NGN) |
|
US Salernitana 1919 (2023/2024) |
€ 1,850,000 |
1,808,955,644 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Benevento Calcio (2022/2023) |
€ 1,850,000 |
1,808,955,644 Nigerian Nairas |
|
US Salernitana 1919 /Parma Calcio 1913 (2021/2022) |
€ 1,850,000 |
1,808,955,644 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Crotone (2020/2021) |
€ 1,110,000 |
1,086,041,399 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Crotone (2019/2020) |
€ 310,000 |
303,302,380 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Crotone (2017/2019) |
€ 330,000 |
322,870,275 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Crotone (2016/2017) |
€ 310,000 |
303,302,380 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Gil Vicente F.C. (2013/2016) |
€ 40,000 |
39,136,350 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Portimonense S.C. (2011/2013) |
€ 34,705 |
33,956,730 Nigerian Nairas |
Market Value: Rapid Decline after Loan Spells
Simy’s transfer market value experienced a significant boost upon joining the Primeira Liga team, Portimonense S.C. However, after loan spells, particularly with US Salernitana 1919, his market value plummeted by more than 6.5 times, currently estimated by Transfermarkt at €600,000.
|
Club |
Year |
Market Value |
|
US Salernitana 1919 |
2023 |
€ 600,000 |
|
Parma Calcio 1913 |
2022 |
€ 1,500,000 |
|
US Salernitana 1919 |
2021 (October) |
€ 4,000,000 |
|
FC Crotone |
2021 (June) |
€ 8,000,000 |
|
FC Crotone |
2020 |
€ 2,500,000 |
|
FC Crotone |
2019 |
€ 1,800,000 |
|
FC Crotone |
2018 |
€ 1,500,000 |
|
FC Crotone |
2017 |
€ 800,000 |
|
Gil Vicente F.C. |
2016 |
€ 1,000,000 |
|
Gil Vicente F.C. |
2015 |
€ 1,100,000 |
|
Gil Vicente F.C. |
2014 |
€ 500,000 |
|
Portimonense S.C. |
2011 |
€ 450,000 |
Achievements with the National Team
Simy made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2018, participating in the World Cup in Russia. Although not a key player, he featured in two group stage matches. Post-World Cup, Simy was called up for African Cup of Nations qualifiers but played only four matches without contributing any goals.
Football and Financial Prospects
The 2023/2024 season has been challenging for Simy, with limited playing time. Despite starting some games, uncertainties surround his future with US Salernitana 1919. At 32 years old, securing more playing time may be crucial for the Nigerian forward to land a new contract at the end of the season.
