Highest Earning African Player Named

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has been named on top of the earning list of Africa’s foreign legion in a Forbesarticle.

Earning an estimated $13.3million annually, Toure is ahead of other great African players such as Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien. The Ivorian is joined on the list by his brother Kolo, who also plays for City.

Out of the eight players listed, only two do not play in England. Malian Frederic Kanoute plays his football in Spain while Cameroonian Eto’o plays at Inter.

It is also interesting to note that three of the six Premier League players are signed to big spending Manchester City while the other three are with Chelsea.

Another interesting fact is that four of the players are winners of the African player of the year award while the others have at one time or the other been nominated for the title.

Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi has never been nominated, but won the young player award in 2005.

Rank Player Amount Earned (USD)

1. Yaya Toure $13,300,000
2. Samuel Eto’o $12,000,000
3. Emmanuel Adebayor $12,000,000
4. Kolo Toure $10,300,000
5. Frederic Kanoute $8,600,000
6. Didier Drogba $8,000,000
7. John Obi Mikel $5,800,000
8. Michael Essien $5,500,000