Zambian football sensation Fashion Sakala, who has graced the footballing landscapes of Russia, Belgium, and Scotland, has embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha FC in August 2023. The move to the Middle East has sparked curiosity about whether Sakala is now enjoying the highest salary of his career.
How Much Did Sakala Earn in Scotland?
When Sakala donned the blue jersey for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, multiple sources estimated his annual earnings at around £431,000. His journey to Saudi Arabia, however, was cloaked in secrecy, with undisclosed transfer fees, contract terms, and duration. Despite the lack of official information, it’s reasonable to assume that a player transitioning from European football to the Middle East would see a substantial salary increase. In fact, reports suggest that Al-Fayha FC paid the Rangers approximately £4 million in transfer fees for the Zambian striker.
First Big Money in Russia and Belgium
Sakala’s European adventure commenced in 2017 when he made the bold move to Spartak Moscow, Russia. During his tenure with the Russian giants, he primarily featured for the second team in the FNL, the second tier of Russian football, amassing 35 appearances and 10 goals. Although the specifics of his salary in Moscow are shrouded in mystery, it was rumored to be around €100,000.
However, Sakala failed to break into Spartak Moscow’s first team, and he was subsequently sold to Belgian club KV Oostende for reportedly €600,000. This move marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Upon his arrival in Belgium, Sakala was offered an annual salary of €145,000, which progressively increased season by season. By 2020, he was earning annually approximately €180,000 in Oostende.
Substantial Raise After Moving to Scotland
The turning point in Sakala’s career came with his transfer to Scotland in 2020, where his salary nearly doubled. While playing for Glasgow Rangers, he earned an estimated £431,000 annually, equivalent to £8,300 per week, excluding performance bonuses or additional payouts.
At that time, Rangers had a total wage bill of roughly £26,312,520 per year, amounting to £506,010 per week. It’s worth noting that, despite his substantial earnings, Sakala did not rank among the top ten highest-paid players in the Rangers’ roster. The highest earner during his stint was Jack Butland, with a weekly wage of £40,000.
Salary in Saudi Arabia Remains Secret
Given these financial circumstances, Sakala’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia is hardly surprising, with the prospect of a considerable salary boost undoubtedly influencing his choice. However, the exact figures of his contract with Al-Fayha FC remain a closely guarded secret.
As Sakala, 26, continues his footballing odyssey in the Middle East, the Zambian striker seems poised to hit a new career high in terms of his earnings, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful Zambian players on the global football scene.
According to Transfermarkt his current transfer value is estimated at career-highest €5,5 million. There is little doubt that his salary in Saudi Arabia didn’t break the the higest point in the strikers life.
