After a challenging stint in Greece, Nigeria’s national team captain, William Troost-Ekong, moved to the Saudi Pro League. Since joining Al-Kholood Club, the defender has enjoyed significant playing time, taken on the captain’s armband, and secured the highest salary of his career. He is currently helping the newly promoted team avoid relegation while also working towards extending his contract. Kick Off Nigeria dives into the player’s finances.
What Is William Troost-Ekong’s Salary at Al-Kholood Club?
Troost-Ekong joined the Saudi team in the summer of 2024, with his contract set to run until June 30, 2026. Over the two years he will spend in Saudi Arabia, the Nigerian footballer is expected to earn €9,057,532, excluding bonuses. For the 2024-2025 season, Troost-Ekong’s salary is €4,528,766, which amounts to approximately €94,349 per week.
|
Annual Salary |
€ 4,528,766 |
7,049,106,295 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Monthly Salary |
€ 377,397 |
587,425,265 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Weekly Salary |
€ 94,349 |
146,855,927 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Daily Salary |
€ 13,479 |
20,980,308 Nigerian Nairas |
Team Salary Overview: Troost-Ekong Is the Highest-Paid Player at Al-Kholood Club
In the 2024/2025 season, Al-Kholood Club’s total salary expenditure is approximately €32,960,675 per year, or €686,681 per week. William Troost-Ekong is the highest-paid player at the club, sharing this distinction with French midfielder Kevin N’Doram. The next highest-paid player is Slovak international Norbert Gyomber, who earns over €760,000 less than Troost-Ekong.
|
Player |
Country |
Annual Salary (EUR) |
|
William Troost-Ekong |
Nigeria |
€ 4,528,766 |
|
Kevin N’Doram |
France |
€ 4,528,766 |
|
Norbert Gyomber |
Slovakia |
€ 3,766,934 |
|
Myziane Maolida |
Comoros |
€ 3,390,241 |
|
Mohammed Sawaan |
Saudi Arabia |
€ 1,412,600 |
Salary Comparison Throughout His Career
After moving to Belgium, Troost-Ekong’s salary increased slightly—by €10,000. However, just two years later, his contract with Bursaspor saw his earnings increase more than 11.5 times.
Following a successful season in Turkey, the Nigerian moved to Serie A, where his salary decreased by more than 1.5 times. However, a year later at Udinese Calcio, his earnings rose by €90,000.
In the 2020/21 season, his move to the Championship resulted in a salary increase of nearly 2.5 times.
However, after two seasons, he went out on loan, where his earnings dropped by €130,500. A move to Greece saw his salary decrease again, by more than 1.5 times. After his transfer to Saudi Arabia, Troost-Ekong’s salary increased by more than 4.5 times, making it the highest of his career.
|
Club |
Salary Euro per Year (EUR) |
Salary Nigerian Nairas per Year (NGN) |
|
Al-Kholood Club (2024/2025) |
〜€ 4,528,766 |
〜7,049,106,295 Nigerian Nairas |
|
PAOK FC (2023/2024) |
〜€ 995,127 |
〜1,548,933,197 Nigerian Nairas |
|
US Salernitana 1919 (2022/2023) |
€ 1,590,000 |
2,474,863,795 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Watford F.C. (2020/2023) |
€ 1,720,587 |
2,678,124,825 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Udinese Calcio (2019/2020) |
€ 740,000 |
1,151,823,401 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Udinese Calcio (2018/2019) |
€ 650,000 |
1,011,736,772 Nigerian Nairas |
|
Bursaspor (2017/2018) |
€ 1,050,000 |
1,634,344,016 Nigerian Nairas |
|
K.A.A. Gent (2015/2017) |
€ 90,000 |
140,086,630 Nigerian Nairas |
|
FC Dordrecht (2014/2015) |
€ 80,000 |
124,521,449 Nigerian Nairas |
Market Value: A Steady Decline After Premier League Peak
Troost-Ekong’s market value surged after the 2016 season when he impressed as FK Haugesund’s captain. His transfer worth quadrupled and later doubled again at Bursaspor. A strong 2018/19 season with Udinese saw another increase, but after a brief dip, his value rebounded following his Premier League debut.
In 2021, his worth peaked at €5 million, but losing his starting spot led to a decline. A loan spell in Italy and a transfer to PAOK FC further halved his valuation. Struggles in Greece saw another drop, and after moving to Al-Kholood Club, his value fell to €1.8 million, making him the club’s fourth most valuable player.
|
Club |
Year |
Market Value |
|
Al-Kholood Club |
2024 (December) |
€ 1,800,000 |
|
PAOK FC |
2024 (May) |
€ 2,000,000 |
|
US Salernitana 1919 |
2023 |
€ 2,500,000 |
|
Watford F.C. |
2022 |
€ 4,000,000 |
|
Watford F.C. |
2021 (December) |
€ 5,000,000 |
|
Watford F.C. |
2021 (June) |
€ 4,000,000 |
|
Udinese Calcio |
2020 |
€ 3,200,000 |
|
Udinese Calcio |
2019 |
€ 4,000,000 |
|
Bursaspor |
2018 |
€ 2,000,000 |
|
FK Haugesund/ K.A.A. Gent |
2016-2017 |
€ 1,000,000 |
|
FC Groningen |
2015 |
€ 300,000 |
|
FC Groningen/ FC Dordrecht |
2013-2014 |
€ 250,000 |
National Team Achievements
Born in the Netherlands, Troost-Ekong had the option of representing either the Netherlands or Nigeria. He played for the Dutch U19 and U20 teams between 2011 and 2013 but later chose to represent Nigeria. He debuted for the Super Eagles in the summer of 2015.
Notably, a year after making his senior national team debut, Troost-Ekong received a call-up to Nigeria’s U23 squad for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he won a bronze medal.
The defender has represented Nigeria at four major tournaments: three Africa Cup of Nations and one World Cup.
His most successful campaign came in 2023, when Nigeria reached the AFCON final, finishing as runners-up to Côte d’Ivoire. He was appointed Nigeria’s national team captain in 2019. To date, Troost-Ekong has made 76 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.
Football and Financial Prospects
In the 2024-2025 season, William Troost-Ekong has become a key figure in Al-Kholood Club’s defense, consistently starting matches. He has already contributed to goal-scoring actions and has captained the team.
However, in mid-February, he suffered an injury and is still in recovery. If he helps Al-Kholood Club maintain their place in the top division, there is a strong chance the club will activate the option to extend his contract.
