Mabika Awaits Contract Extension: Salary and Prospects of the Zambian Defender

As the MLS 2023 season drew to a close, the contractual agreement between Zambia’s national team player, Aime Mabika, and Toronto FC is set to expire. Despite the team’s challenging results, the 25-year-old defender has emerged as a key figure for the Canadian side. A year of adaptation to the new club, stellar defensive performances, and a potential contract extension may pave the way for the Canadians to return to the championship playoffs next year.

Aime Mabika’s Salary at Toronto FC

The Zambian defender joined the Canadian team in the spring of 2023, with the agreement set to expire on December 30, 2023, and an option for a two-year extension. During this time in Canada, Mabika stands to earn €156,602, excluding bonuses. In the 2023 season, Mabika earned €78,301, averaging €1,506 per week.

Team Salary Overview: Mabika – Lowest-Paid Among African Players

In the 2023 season, Toronto FC’s total salary expenditure amounts to €18,271,930 per year, or €351,383 per week. The highest-paid player on the team is midfielder Lorenzo Insigne, receiving €6,873,033 annually and €132,174 per week. Aime Mabika, on the other hand, ranks 21st in the salary hierarchy, making him the second-lowest-paid among the foreign players in the Canadian club. Only Spanish midfielder Alonso Coello earns less. Additionally, Mabika holds the lowest salary position among all African players in Toronto FC.

Career Salary Comparison

After an outstanding season with Inter Miami CF’s reserve team, Mabika received his first substantial salary. Following that, he signed a contract with the main squad of the American club. However, after moving to Toronto, his earnings increased only slightly, by just over €8,000. Currently, Aime Mabika enjoys the highest salary of his career.

Market Value

Mabika’s transfer value has never reached the million-euro mark so far. Nevertheless, since his debut with Inter Miami CF, the Zambian defender’s transfer value has steadily increased. In the past year, Mabika’s market value has doubled, with Transfermarkt now estimating his transfer value at €400,000.

National Team 

Born into a Congolese family in Zambia, Aime Mabika had the opportunity to play for two national teams. However, both his Congolese and Zambian citizenships were annulled when the defender obtained a U.S. passport at the age of 21. To rejoin Zambia’s national team, Mabika declared loyalty to Zambia, a move that could restore his citizenship. Due to citizenship issues, he was unable to participate in official matches for an extended period. However, in 2022, Mabika played for the Zambian national team in a friendly match against Congo. In the winter of 2023, he completed the naturalization process, gaining the opportunity to represent the African national team. However, Mabika has not been called up to the national team since then.

Football and Salary Prospects

Joining Toronto FC after Match Day 13 of the MLS Aime Mabika quickly secured a place as the team’s primary defender. From then until the end of the season, the Zambian missed only three games and failed to score. Moreover, with Mabika on the field, the team earned half of the points for the season. Despite the Canadian club finishing last in the Eastern Conference, the age and talent of the Zambian player could influence the extension of his contract.