Footballers in African leagues have seen a significant salary increase, particularly due to substantial club investments.
While some African leagues and clubs struggle to pay their players, others offer competitive salaries.
Percy Tau is an example of an African player earning millions annually from an African club, Al Ahly. He signed a permanent deal with Egyptian Premier League side Al Ahly on 26 August 2021.
His contract entitles him to a salary believed to be in the top category among the highest earners in African football.
But what is Percy Tau’s salary at Al Ahly, and is he the highest-paid footballer in Africa?
He receives an annual salary of $1,200,000 from Al Ahly
When the South African footballer signed a 2-year contract with Al Ahly, the Egyptian club agreed to pay him an annual salary of $1,200,000 or R22.4 million.
Thus, his monthly salary is $100,000, his weekly salary is $23,076.92, and his daily salary is $4,615.38.
Percy Tau’s salary at Al Ahly makes him the highest-paid footballer in an African league.
He has an impressive net worth of $9 million
Percy Tau has made money from his professional work as a footballer.
He has played for top leagues worldwide, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Brighton & Hove Albion, Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, and Al Ahly.
When he played for Brighton & Hove Albion under a three-and-a-half-year contract, his salary was £30,000 or R530,000 weekly before tax.
After signing for Al Ahly in 2021, his contract allows him to receive $1.2 million or R22.4 million annually. As of 2023, Percy Tau’s net worth is $9 million or R168 million.
He has commanded a total of €5 million in transfer fees
Percy Tau began his football career at Mamelodi Sundowns. The PSL team then loaned him to Witbank Spurs.
In July 2018, Mamelodi Sundowns sold the South African national to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for €3.20 million. Unfortunately, his stay at Brighton was not successful.
Brighton loaned him to several European clubs, including Union SG, Club Brugge, and RSC Anderlecht. After three and a half years at Brighton, Al Ahly signed Percy Tau for €1.80 million.
Thus, the Al Ahly forward has commanded total transfer fees of €5 million.
He is the third-highest-paid footballer at Al Ahly
When you compare Percy Tau’s salary with other African players playing abroad, the South African footballer is not the highest-paid African footballer.
His annual salary is lower than the likes of Mohammed Salah ($53 million), Sadio Mane ($52 million), Riyad Mahrez ($32 million), Kalidou Koulibaly ($26 million), Achraf Hakimi ($20 million).
Franck Kessie ($17 million), Thomas Partey ($16 million), Seko Fofana ($16 million), and Edouard Mendy ($13 million) also have a higher salary than the South African footballer.
But among African players playing for African leagues, Percy Tau’s salary of R22.4 million at Al Ahly makes him among the highest-paid footballers in South Africa and Africa.
Also, Percy is not the highest-paid footballer at Al Ahly. Although he receives €1.5 million, his teammates Mohammed Afsha (€1.6 million) and Mohammed El-Shenawy €2.5 million receive more.
However, with his income, he might make it to the list of the richest African footballers of all time.
He has houses in South Africa and Egypt
Percy Tau has kept his personal life private. However, the South African forward has several houses in South Africa and Egypt.
Unfortunately, the value of Percy Tau’s house in Egypt is unknown. He rarely shares images of the same on social media.
He is a Hyundai ambassador
The Al Ahly forward is a Hyundai ambassador. Thus, most of Percy Tau’s cars are Hyundai models.
Percy has been spotted several times driving different Hyundai cars, including the stylish Hyundai i30n worth R700,000. He has also driven the Hyundai Tucson Sport SUV worth R600,000.