Salary and Prospects of the Kenyan Midfielder Victor Wanyama

The 2023 MLS season saw CF Montreal miss out on the playoffs, and even their captain, Victor Wanyama, lost his spot in the starting lineup by the end of the year. With just one year left on his contract with the Canadian club, the upcoming season represents a chance for the Kenyan midfielder to reclaim his place in the starting eleven and vie for a new agreement.

Victor Wanyama’s Salary at CF Montreal

Joining the Canadian team in 2020, Wanyama signed a three-year contract as a designated player. In the fall of 2022, he announced his departure after the season’s conclusion but surprised many by signing a new two-year deal with CF Montreal in January, extending until December 31, 2024. For the remaining season, Wanyama will earn €1,319,622, excluding bonuses, equivalent to €25,377 per week.

Team Overview: Wanyama – the Highest-Paid Player

In the 2023/2024 season, CF Montreal’s total payroll amounts to €8,247,051, or €158,597 per week. Victor Wanyama stands as the highest-paid player in the team, with striker Romell Quioto coming in second, earning half of Wanyama’s salary at €870,584 annually, or €16,742 per week. Additionally, Wanyama’s salary is nearly three times that of Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Hamdi, the second-highest-paid African player on the team.

Career Salary Comparison

After moving to England, Wanyama not only became the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League but also ranked fifth in Southampton F.C.’s salary list. However, in subsequent seasons, the midfielder’s earnings decreased by over €200,000, pushing him out of the top ten highest-paid players.

Despite successful performances for the English team, Wanyama secured a long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the highest earnings of his career. However, after signing with CF Montreal in 2020, his salary decreased once again by roughly the same amount. The new agreement with CF Montreal also resulted in a reduction in earnings by more than one and a half times.

Market Value: Significant Rise After the Move to England

Wanyama’s market value experienced a significant jump after signing with Southampton F.C., nearly tripling his transfer fee. However, by the time of his move to CF Montreal, the transfer amount had decreased by almost four times. Despite quality performances for the Canadian team, Wanyama’s market value continues to decline, currently assessed at €2 million on Transfermarkt, placing him among the top five most expensive players in the Canadian club.

Achievements with the National Team

Debuting for the Kenyan national team at the age of 15 in May 2007, Wanyama became the captain five years later. As captain, he led Kenya to win the African Cup of Nations in 2019, the first in 15 years. Although he played all group stage matches, Kenya failed to advance to the playoffs.

In 2021, after missing World Cup qualifiers, Wanyama initially announced his retirement from international football. However, following a meeting with Kenya’s sports minister, he agreed to return to the team, though he hasn’t received a call-up since 2020. With 64 appearances, Wanyama is currently among the top five players with the most international caps for Kenya.

Football and Salary Prospects

As the captain of the Canadian team, Victor Wanyama started the 2023 season in the starting lineup, missing only one match in 26 rounds. However, he lost his starting spot at the end of August and only appeared in three games for the rest of the season. The player’s age might influence the coaching staff’s choices, but the fact that he retains the captain’s armband indicates he will have the opportunity to reclaim a starting position in the upcoming season.