Why Eto'o is not Among 10 Most Expensive African footballers of all Time
The
reputation of African footballers has grown in leaps and bounds. As such,
they now command colossal fees for their services whether they play in Europe, the
USA, China or even right here in Africa. The highest transfer fee
for an African player has doubled from what it was a decade ago.
The
criterion here is how much a player cost during a move.
Find
out the updated list of the most expensive African footballers of all time from bottom to top:
Yaya
Toure is the only footballer in this list to have won an African league title
before going on to win more accolades abroad. He is one of the famous graduates
of ASEC Mimosas side of the late 1990s. Toure completed a £24m move from
Barcelona to Manchester City in 2010. He is one of the most decorated African
footballers of all time.
9.
Didier Drogba
What
has been left unsaid about this man? The late bloomer, Drogba joined Chelsea
from Olympique Marseille in 2004 for a £24m fee. The Ivorian has also
played football in Asia and North America and currently features for Phoenix
Rising, a club he owns.
8.
Michael Essien
Unlike
Drogba, Essien peaked early before a series of injuries reversed the fortunes
of his playing career. Back in 2005 he was considered among the best players in
the world and was signed by Chelsea for a £24.4m fee. He joined the blues
from Olympique Lyon.
7.
Yannick Bolasie
Bolasie
was virtually an unknown for much of his playing career. A move to Crystal
Palace, in 2012, changed his fortunes and he would be acquired by Everton, four
years later, for a £24.5m fee. Yannick Bolasie opted to play for DR Congo
in 2013 and is looking to lead them to the 2018 World Cup.
Adebayor
is 33 years old and still going strong. The best African footballer of 2008
continues to faithfully lead the Togolese national team. Adebayor was signed by
Manchester City, from Arsenal, in 2009 for £25m in what turned out to be a
controversial move.
5.
Wilfried Bony
Bony
saw his stock rise from Vitesse to Swansea and earned himself a £25m move
to Manchester City in January of 2015. Unfortunately, he failed to establish
himself at the Etihad and had to move on loan to Stoke City.
Back
in 2013, Slimani turned down a move to Club Africain, of Tunisia, for Sporting
Lisbon. After building a great reputation for himself in Portugal, the English
Premier League champions of 2015/2016 broke their club transfer record to get
him on their books. Slimani has finished his first season at Leicester since
his £30m transfer.
3.
Eric Bailly
Eric
Bailly is the only defender on the list, making him the most expensive African
defender of all time. Not too bad for the youngster who got a £30m move to
Manchester United after one excellent, 2015/2016, season at the El Madrigal. He
has already won the Europa League and the Africa Cup of Nations.
2.
Sadio Mane
The
Senegalese forward broke the African transfer record in 2016 when he left
Southampton for Liverpool for a £34m fee. Mane has not regressed one bit
since making his name on the World stage at the 2012 London Olympics Men’s
Football tournament.
Just a few years ago, few people believed Egyptian footballers could
hack it in Europe like the West Africans. Now, the co-most expensive African
footballer of all time is an Egyptian. It is Mohamed Salah. He completed
a £34m move to Liverpool only a few days ago.
The question now is: how
long do you think Mane and Salah’s record will last?
Samuel Eto'o's Transfers & Loans
Date: From To Value
06/07/15 Sampdoria Antalya Free
26/01/15 Everton
Sampdoria N/A
25/08/14 Chelsea Everton Free
28/08/13 Anzhi Chelsea
Free
22/08/11 Inter Anzhi
€ 27M
27/07/09 Barcelona Inter
€ 20M
31/07/04 Mallorca Barcelona € 27M
31/12/99 Real Madrid Mallorca €
5.4M
31/07/97 Real Madrid Leganés Loan
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