FootballSports

The Lowest Paid Player at Every Bundesliga Club – Ranked from Lowest to Highest

The Bundesliga is home to some of Europe’s most exciting football, but not every player is earning a superstar paycheck. While top clubs invest heavily in marquee names, many players across the league are still working their way up on modest salaries.

We’ve taken a closer look at the lowest-paid player at each Bundesliga club, highlighting the often-overlooked side of life at the top level. From academy graduates to fringe squad members, here’s how much they’re earning.

Augsburg

FC Augsburg
Jean-Marc Pierard / Shutterstock.com

Augsburg continues to prioritize youth development while operating on one of the Bundesliga’s leanest wage bills. The club gives young prospects valuable minutes without overspending.

Noahkai Banks – £1,653 per week / £86,000 per year

Noahkai Banks
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Still early in his career, Banks earns one of the lowest salaries in the league. His contract reflects Augsburg’s emphasis on financial discipline and long-term growth.

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Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen
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Despite their wealth of stars, Leverkusen maintains opportunities for academy graduates and young players on modest wages. Their blend of elite and emerging talent keeps them competitive.

Luca Novodomsky – £2,313 per week / £121,000 per year

Luca Novodomsky
Photo: Uefa.com

Novodomsky is already part of the senior setup and climbing the ranks. His wage mirrors Leverkusen’s trust in internal development and smart squad building.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich
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Germany’s top club features world-class earners and youth prospects alike. Many of their future stars begin their careers on surprisingly modest deals.

Tarek Buchmann – £2,481 per week / £129,000 per year

Tarek Buchmann
Photo: Fcbayern.com

A promising defender, Buchmann is part of the club’s next generation. His current deal reflects his development phase and Bayern’s structured approach to youth.

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Bochum

Vfl Bochum
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Bochum has built a team identity rooted in hard work and modest budgets. Their players are often underrated but determined to prove themselves.

Moritz Broschinski – £1,984 per week / £103,000 per year

Moritz Broschinski
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Broschinski is a squad regular on a humble contract. His work ethic and reliability perfectly match Bochum’s fighting spirit.

Borussia Dortmund

Photo: Cosmin Iftode / Shutterstock.com

Dortmund continues to combine established stars with rising talent. Their salary structure reflects the wide range of experience across the squad.

Silas Ostrzinski – £2,810 per week / £146,000 per year

Silas Ostrzinski
Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

As a young goalkeeper, Ostrzinski is learning within one of Europe’s top academies. His salary fits his role as a developing prospect in a star-studded squad.

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Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt
Tobias Arhelger / Shutterstock.com

Frankfurt has grown in stature and ambition, but they still offer chances to emerging players on reasonable wages.

Igor Matanovic – £4,631 per week / £241,000 per year

igor matanovic
Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com

Despite being Frankfurt’s lowest-paid player, Matanovic earns a solid salary. His deal reflects the club’s increased financial standing in recent seasons.

Freiburg

SC freiburg
23arjuna / Shutterstock.com

Freiburg has become a model of sustainability, consistently promoting youth and controlling spending. Their structure favors stability over flash.

Bruno Ogbus – £2,810 per week / £146,000 per year

Bruno Ogbus
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Ogbus represents Freiburg’s homegrown philosophy. He earns a typical Freiburg wage as he works toward a regular first-team role.

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Heidenheim

FC Heidenheim
Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

One of the Bundesliga’s smallest clubs, Heidenheim operates with discipline and a clear developmental strategy.

Christopher Negele – £2,150 per week / £112,000 per year

Christopher Negele
Photo: fc-Heidenheim.de

Negele's wage reflects Heidenheim's financial realism. He’s part of a squad that prioritizes structure and progress over high spending.

Hoffenheim

TSG Hoffenheim
MR.Narawut Nakkanung / Shutterstock.com

Hoffenheim blends veteran presence with young talent on affordable wages. Their approach to sustainability remains key to long-term success.

Lúkas Petersson – £1,984 per week / £103,000 per year

Lúkas Petersson
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Petersson’s salary is modest, fitting his current role and age. His path mirrors that of many Hoffenheim players who rise through the system.

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Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel
Photo: Bundesliga.com

In their first-ever Bundesliga season, Kiel are keeping costs down while relying on young, hungry players.

Tyler Doğan – £1,653 per week / £86,000 per year

Tyler Doğan
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Doğan earns one of the lowest wages in the league, but Kiel sees massive potential. He’s a symbol of their youth-driven strategy.

RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig
rarrarorro / Shutterstock.com

Leipzig continues to invest smartly in youth, balancing high-end contracts with affordable deals for up-and-comers.

Viggo Gebel – £3,141 per week / £164,000 per year

Viggo Gebel
Fabrizio Andrea Bertani / Shutterstock.com

Still on the rise, Gebel is viewed as a long-term asset. His salary reflects his position as a player with upside in Leipzig’s system.

Mainz

MAinz
23arjuna / Shutterstock.com

Mainz remains committed to nurturing talent from within while maintaining financial discipline. Their developmental model is widely respected.

Maxim Dal – £3,637 per week / £189,000 per year

Maxim Dal
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Dal is on a solid salary for a young player looking to break through. He embodies Mainz’s vision of steady progression through the ranks.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach
Michael715 / Shutterstock.com

In a rebuilding phase, Gladbach is leaning on youth and lower salaries. The club is focused on developing its next generation.

Shio Fukuda – £2,313 per week / £121,000 per year

Shio Fukuda
Photo: Borussia.com

Fukuda is still early in his professional journey, but the club has high hopes. His wage reflects his potential and place in the rebuild.

St. Pauli

St. Pauli
nitpicker / Shutterstock.com

New to the Bundesliga, St. Pauli relies on team spirit and financial restraint. They offer real chances to hungry, undervalued players.

Abdoulie Ceesay – £2,313 per week / £121,000 per year

Abdoulie Ceesay
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Ceesay is earning a respectable wage as he steps into the Bundesliga spotlight. His role could grow quickly with consistent performances.

Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart
EVREN MOREL / Shutterstock.com

Stuttgart has a strong academy tradition and regularly promotes talent on entry-level deals. Their model focuses on development, not stars.

Luca Raimund – £1,984 per week / £103,000 per year

Luca Raimund
Photo: Bundesliga.com

Raimund is steadily working his way up through the ranks. His modest contract reflects Stuttgart’s commitment to homegrown success.

Union Berlin

Union Berlin
23arjuna / Shutterstock.com

Union has risen through discipline and togetherness—not financial power. Even with European appearances, they maintain a careful wage structure.

David Preu – £1,653 per week / £86,000 per year

David Preu
Photo: fc-union-berlin.de

Preu earns a low salary, but he’s a key part of the club’s long-term project. Union believes in steady development over quick fixes.

Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen
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Bremen, steeped in tradition, builds from the ground up with affordable contracts for young talent. Patience and opportunity define their strategy.

Abednego Nankishi – £1,488 per week / £77,000 per year

Abednego Nankishi
Photo: bundesliga.com

The Bundesliga’s lowest-paid player, Nankishi is still full of promise. His current deal shows that raw potential can be developed on a budget.

Wolfsburg

VFL Wolfsburg
nitpicker / Shutterstock.com

Wolfsburg’s youth system regularly supplies the first team with players on smaller wages. Their balance between ambition and development is key.

Mathys Angély – £1,653 per week / £86,000 per year

Mathys Angély
Photo: Vfl-Wolfsburg.de

Angély may earn modestly, but being in a Bundesliga squad is already a major milestone. He’ll be aiming for both minutes and a new deal.