Once one of Nigeria’s premier talents, Josh Maja is currently experiencing turbulent times. Returning to England at the start of the 2023/2024 season, the striker has not played in ten matches, spending more time in the team’s infirmary than on the pitch. Nevertheless, the Nigerian has 2.5 seasons to regain both his peak performance and transfer market value. The Kick Off Nigeria looks into the player’s finances.
Josh Maja’s Salary at West Bromwich Albion F.C.
The Nigerian national team forward joined the English club in the summer of 2023, with the agreement extending until June 30, 2026. Over three years in England, the Nigerian will earn €3,105,152, excluding bonuses. For the 2023/2024 season, Maja will earn €1,033,269, equivalent to €19,871 per week.
|
Annual Salary |
€ 1,033,269 |
1,018,989,226 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Monthly Salary |
€ 86,106 |
84,900,725 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Weekly Salary |
€ 19,871 |
19,592,554 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Daily Salary |
€ 2,839 |
2,799,218 Nigerian Nairas |
Team Salary Overview: Josh Maja among the Top Five Highest-Paid Players Under 25
In the 2023/2024 season, West Bromwich Albion F.C.’s total wage bill amounts to €25,738,219, translating to €494,966 per week. The highest-paid player on the team is midfielder Adam Reach, earning €2,431,221 per year or €46,754 per week. Josh Maja ranks seventh among foreign players and fourth among the highest-paid African players in the club.
|
Player |
Country |
Annual Salary (EUR) |
|
Cedric Kipre |
Cote d’Ivoire |
€ 1,367,562 |
|
Grady Diangana |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
€ 1,238,988 |
|
Brandon Thomas-Asante |
Ghana |
€ 1,215,611 |
|
Josh Maja |
Nigeria |
€ 1,033,269 |
|
Semi Ajayi |
Nigeria |
€ 1,005,217 |
Career Salary Comparison
Josh Maja’s salary saw a significant increase after moving to southern France. His first contract with FC Girondins de Bordeaux resulted in almost a 14-fold increase in earnings. Despite an injury at the end of his debut season, the French club renewed the agreement, nearly doubling the player’s salary. Maja’s current salary at West Bromwich Albion F.C. is the highest of his career.
|
Club |
Salary Euro per Year (EUR) |
Salary Nigerian Nairas per Year (NGN) |
|
West Bromwich Albion F.C. (2023/2024) |
€ 1,033,269 |
1,018,989,226 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (2022/2023) |
€ 780,000 |
768,272,960 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Stoke City F.C. (2021/2022) |
€ 771,445 |
760,259,981 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Fulham F.C. (2020/2021) |
€ 783,134 |
771,779,505 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (2019/2020) |
€ 770,000 |
758,835,932 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (2018/2019) |
€ 400,000 |
394,237,106 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Sunderland A.F.C. (2016/2018) |
〜€ 31,051 |
〜30,609,486 Nigerian Nairas |
Market Value
After a prolific half-season at Sunderland A.F.C. in 2018/2019, Josh Maja attracted interest from Premier League, Championship, and Bundesliga clubs. However, he signed with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where his transfer value increased nearly sevenfold after a few months in Ligue 1. Despite challenges in subsequent years, Maja’s successful 2022/2023 season in France elevated his market value by over 1.5 times. Currently valued at €3.5 million by Transfermarkt, he remains among the top five expensive players at West Bromwich Albion F.C.
|
Club |
Year |
Market Value |
|
West Bromwich Albion F.C. |
2023 (December) |
€ 3,500,000 |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux |
2023 (June) |
€ 5,000,000 |
|
Stoke City F.C. |
2022 |
€ 3,000,000 |
|
Fulham F.C. |
2021 |
€ 5,000,000 |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux |
2020 |
€ 6,000,000 |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux |
2019 (December) |
€ 7,000,000 |
|
FC Girondins de Bordeaux |
2019 (June) |
€ 1,700,000 |
|
Sunderland A.F.C. |
2018 |
€ 250,000 |
International Achievements
Josh Maja made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2019 in a friendly against Ukraine. However, this match remains his sole appearance for the national team.
Football and Financial Prospects
In the 2023/2024 season, the Nigerian forward played in only 9 Championship matches due to serious injuries. Despite limited playing time, Maja managed to score a goal against Leicester City F.C. The opportunity to renegotiate a contract with West Bromwich Albion F.C. under more favorable terms awaits if he fully recovers from the ankle injury and regains his previous level of performance.
