Ali Sowe in Caykur Rizespor: Score Goals but Unable to Halt the Decline in his Market Value

After moving to a new Turkish club, the 30-year-old forward has remained in the Super League and returned to his previous scoring form. However, Ali Sowe’s contract with Caykur Rizespor is currently only for one season, and his market value continues to fall. The team’s league position at the end of the season and the number of goals he scores may be crucial factors in securing his future with the club, with negotiations potentially taking place this summer.

What is Ali Sowe’s Salary at Caykur Rizespor?

The Gambian national team forward joined the Turkish club on loan during the summer of 2024, with the agreement in place until June 30, 2025. For the 2024/2025 season, Sowe will earn €1,550,000, excluding bonuses, which breaks down to approximately €29,808 per week, a substantial salary for a player of his caliber in the Turkish Super League.

Team overview: Sowe ranks among the top five highest-paid players at the club

Caykur Rizespor’s total wage bill for the 2024/2025 season amounts to €16,480,000, translating to around €316,923 per week. The highest-paid player on the team is winger Rachid Ghezzal, who earns €2,500,000 per year or €48,077 per week.

Ali Sowe holds the fourth position in the team’s salary standings, just ahead of Croatian goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, who earns €50,000 less.

Salary comparison over career

For many years, Sowe played in the lower divisions of Italy, which kept his salary relatively unchanged. After several seasons in Albania and Portugal, he signed with FC Rostov, where his earnings increased by approximately 29.5 times. A subsequent loan agreement with MKE Ankaragucu led to a nearly 1.5-fold salary increase, marking the highest point in his career earnings.

Market value: sharp decline due to injuries and reduced performance

After a standout season in 2013/14, Sowe’s transfer value surged by more than five times. Over the following three years, he bounced around among loan clubs in Serie B and Serie C, and by the time he transferred to the Albanian club KF Skenderbeu Korçë, his transfer fee had decreased by nearly 2.5 times. The 2017/18 season emerged as the most productive of his career, with Sowe contributing to 32 goals and winning the Albanian championship, which more than doubled his market value. After moving to Bulgaria, he continued to score, leading to another 3.5-fold increase in his transfer fee. Following a slight decline in the 2019/20 season, Sowe’s transfer value rose again by 1.5 times, reaching its peak. 

During the 2021/22 season, the player’s performance sharply declined, leading to a €500,000 decrease in his market value. However, after moving to Turkey, both his performance and value rebounded, reaching new peaks. The frequent injuries in the 2023/24 season not only saw Ali Sowe’s transfer value nearly halve, but also potentially impacted his earning power. Currently, Transfermarkt.com estimates the Gambian forward’s value at €1.7 million. This valuation ranks fifth among players at the Turkish club and seventh among Gambian footballers.

National team

Ali Sowe received his first call-up to the Gambian national team in August 2011. He represented his country at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. The Gambians failed to earn any points in the group stage and did not advance to the knockout rounds. To date, Sowe has 16 caps for the Gambian national team, with one goal.

Prospects

In the 2024/2025 season, Ali Sowe is the first-choice forward for Çaykur Rizespor. The Gambian footballer has featured in every match and has contributed over 10 goals and/or assists. He is currently the top scorer for the Turkish team and ranks third in the Super League. If Sowe continues to find the net regularly, he could secure a permanent contract with the club and a corresponding salary increase.