Over the years we have seen immense talent emerging in the African continent. This talent has managed to flourish across the world were players are recognized by the biggest teams in the world of football. Such players have had the privilege of being signed by some of these big teams and make a huge living for themselves according to the remuneration the clubs offer them. Here is a list of the top 10 highest paid football players in Africa
1. Seydou Keita ($ 17miilion)
Born January 16, 1980, Seydou is a Malian footballer who plays for Dalian Aerbin FC in the Chinese Super League. Keita has played for the Malian national team since the age of 20. He made his debut for Mali on the 9th of April 2000 FIFA World cup qualifier against Lybia. In 2008 Keita signed a four-year contract with FC Barcelona, he became the first Malian Barcelona player. In 2012 he announced he was leaving Barcelona for the Chinese League side Dalien Aerbin, reportedly paid $17 million per year.
2. Yaya Toure ($16 million)
Born May 13, 1983, Yaya is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester City and the Ivory Coast national team. He joined Manchester City in 2010 with a five-year contract signed in July for about 24 million pounds. It is reported that Yaya Toure earns $16 milliona annually.
3. Didier Drogba ($13.9 million)
Born in May 11, 1978, Didier is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Galetesaray in the Super Lig. He also captains the Ivory Coast national team. Drogba left Chelsea in 2012 and signed a deal with Shanghai Shenhu in China that was worth 200,000 pounds a week. There, he played briefly and then moved to Galetesaray club in Turkey where he earns up to $13.9 million annually.
4. Emmanuel Adebayor ($11.3 million)
Born in April 26, 1984, Emmanuel is a Togolese footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Tottehum Hotspur and Togo national team. In 2009 Adebayor signed a five-year contract with Manchester City, for a transfer fee believed to be 25 million and then signed a permanent deal with Tottehum worth 5 million. He is reported to earn about $11.3 million annually.
5. Yakubu Aiyegbeni ($10 million)
Born in November 22, 1982, Yakubu plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F. He is also a former player for the Nigerian national team. In 2012 Yakubu confirmed that he had left Blackburn and had signed for Chinese side Guangzhou R&F on an initial three-year deal. It is understood that he would earn $10 million annually in wages and bonuses.
6. Asamoah Gyan ($9.3 million)
Born in November 22, 1985 in Accra, Asemoah plays as a striker for Al Ain of the UAE Pro-League. He represented Ghana in the 2006 FIFA world cup. In 2011 it was confirmed on the Sunderland website that Gyan would leave on a season loan to Al Ain worth about $8.4 million. The contract would see Gyan earning about $180,000 a week after taxes for five years, starting from July 2012. This would be $9.3 million annually.
7. Samuel Eto’o ($9 million)
Born in March 10, 1981, Samuel is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club, Chelsea. He was once rated under the highest paid sportsperson after the golfer Tiger Woods. He has participated in three world cups and six Africa cup of nation’s qualifier. In 2013, Eto’o signed a one-year deal with Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. He reportedly took a huge pay cut from $23 million a season down to $9 million to sign for Chelsea.
8. Frederic Kanoute ($7.2 million)
Born in September 2, 1977, Frederic plays as a striker for Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan. In 2012 Kanoute signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan, which placed him on a reported salary of $7.2 million annually.
9. Michael Essien ($6.1 million)
Born in December 3, 1982, Michael is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Milan and the Ghana national team. In 2000 Essien went to Manchester City United. However, his stay in Manchester was very brief, he joined Bastia and late joined Chelsea. Essien who plays for his national team receives an annual salary of $6.1 million aside from other match allowances and fees.
10. John Mikel Obi ($5.5 million)
Born in April 22, 1987, Obi is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Chelsea and Nigerian national team. He joined Chelsea in 2006. He receives 5,5 million annually.
