Will David Okereke Stay in Serie A? Salary and Prospects of the Nigerian Striker

After his return to Italy, David Okereke has struggled to recapture the form he exhibited while playing for Spezia Calcio. Following relegations to Serie B with two different teams, a decline in performance, and now a loan move to Torino FC, a short-term return to the premier Italian division could be a pivotal step in rebooting the talented Nigerian’s career and securing him a more lucrative contract. The Kick Off Nigeria looks into the player’s finances. 

Salary of David Okereke at Torino FC

The former Nigerian youth international joined the Italian club in the winter of 2024 on loan from US Cremonese, with the deal lasting until June 30, 2024. For the remainder of the season in Turin, the Nigerian player will earn €770,000, equating to €14,808 per week.

Team Salary Overview: Okereke is the Lowest-Paid African Player

In the 2023/2024 season, Torino FC’s total salary expenditure stands at €36,920,000, or €710,000 per week. The club’s highest-paid footballer is striker Duvan Zapata, a Colombian international on loan from Atalanta BC, earning €4,630,000 a year, or €89,038 per week. 

Okereke, on the other hand, ranks 19th in the salary rankings, 14th among the foreign players of the Italian team, and concludes the top five highest-paid non-European footballers in Torino FC. Positioned just below Ivorian Koffi Djidji and Moroccan Adam Masina, who earn nearly one and a half times more, Okereke also has the smallest salary among the African players in the Italian club, placing third.

Career Salary Comparison

Following a successful season in Serie B with Spezia Calcio, the Nigerian striker moved to Belgium, where his salary increased approximately 3.5 times. Despite winning the championship in his debut season with Club Brugge KV, Okereke’s earnings dropped almost 1.5 times the following year. His salary decreased further by €10,000 after a loan agreement with Venezia FC. The relegation of the Venetian club from Serie A did not deter the Nigerian from staying in Italy. The striker’s move to US Cremonese saw his salary increase by more than 1.5 times, becoming the largest in his career, which remained unchanged even after his loan to Torino FC.

Market Value: Sharp Decline After Breakthrough Debut in Belgium

Over three years with Spezia Calcio, the Nigerian secured a key player position, becoming the team’s top scorer in the 2018/19 season with 22 goal involvements. This achievement increased his transfer value twentyfold, continuing to rise even after moving to Club Brugge KV. A successful debut in Belgium saw the striker’s transfer sum increase 5.5 times, reaching its peak. 

However, Okereke’s performance declined thereafter: even winning trophies did not prevent a more than threefold decrease in value. Despite Venezia FC’s relegation from Serie A in the 21/22 season, the Nigerian’s return to Italy led to a €1 million increase in his transfer sum. Nonetheless, after moving to US Cremonese, his value continued to decline. As of now, Transfermarkt values the Nigerian striker at €2.7 million.

National Team and Prospects

David Okereke debuted for the Nigerian U23 national team in spring 2019, scoring his first and only goal for the national team in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya. Since then, the Nigerian has not played for the youth or senior national teams. 

In the 2023/2024 season, Okereke’s statistics have worsened again. In half a year in Serie B, the striker scored only two goals and provided one assist. However, his winter return to Italy’s top division offers a chance. If Okereke can adapt to the team and return to at least last season’s productivity, Torino FC might sign him on a permanent basis, potentially with a salary increase.