The Lowest-Paid Player at Every Bundesliga Club – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
While headlines often focus on Bundesliga stars earning astronomical wages, there’s another side to the salary spectrum. Every squad has its unsung players—youngsters, backups, or rising prospects—earning far less than their high-profile teammates.
This article highlights the lowest-paid player at each of the 18 Bundesliga clubs for the 2024/25 season. From future stars on development contracts to squad players working their way up, here’s a closer look at the league’s most modest earners—what they make and what they bring to their teams.
Augsburg
Often battling in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table, Augsburg is known for its resilience and strong home form. The club regularly develops young talents while staying competitive in Germany’s top flight.
Mert Kömür – £1,985 per week / £103,200 per year
A promising midfielder, Kömür is still on a modest salary compared to senior teammates. At just 20 years old, he’s considered a future starter with plenty of upside.
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Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen has built a reputation for dynamic, attacking football and consistently qualifying for European competitions. Their squad depth is one of the best in the league.
Matija Marsenic – £2,315 per week / £120,400 per year
The young defender is still finding his place among stars in Leverkusen’s backline. His current wages reflect his status as a squad prospect with potential.
Bayern Munich
The undisputed powerhouse of German football, Bayern dominates the Bundesliga both financially and on the pitch. Even their reserve players earn sizable wages.
Jonas Urbig – £10,915 per week / £567,600 per year
Despite being Bayern’s lowest earner, Urbig’s salary is higher than most starters elsewhere. As a backup goalkeeper, he’s developing under some of Europe’s top coaches.
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Bochum
One of the league’s smaller clubs, Bochum operates with a tight budget and a loyal fanbase. Survival in the Bundesliga is their primary objective each season.
Lennart Koerdt – £1,985 per week / £103,200 per year
Still early in his professional journey, Koerdt is on a basic wage. He’s mostly featured for the youth side but has potential to break into the first team.
Borussia Dortmund
Known for their incredible support and attacking talent, Dortmund blends big-name stars with elite youth development. The club consistently challenges at the top.
Filippo Mané – £2,977 per week / £154,800 per year
Mané is one of the next in line at Dortmund’s talent factory. A versatile defender, he’s working his way up while earning significantly less than the club’s marquee players.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt has risen in stature over recent years, especially in European competitions. The club is known for its passionate fans and aggressive playing style.
Oscar Højlund – £5,623 per week / £292,400 per year
Brother of Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, Oscar is carving out his own path. As a newcomer, his salary is modest by Bundesliga standards but comes with high expectations.
Freiburg
Freiburg excels at punching above its weight, consistently finishing in the top half with limited resources. The club values homegrown players and tactical discipline.
Noah Atubolu – £2,810 per week / £146,200 per year
A talented young goalkeeper, Atubolu is seen as a future No. 1. His earnings are currently humble, but he has already impressed in several first-team outings.
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Heidenheim
Having recently earned promotion, Heidenheim is one of the newest faces in the Bundesliga. They rely heavily on teamwork and strong coaching to compete.
Maximilian Breunig – £3,637 per week / £189,200 per year
Breunig is an emerging forward who’s slowly getting minutes. His pay reflects his squad rotation role in a club that closely monitors spending.
Hoffenheim
A club with modern infrastructure and regular top-half finishes, Hoffenheim combines youth promotion with smart investments. They often serve as a stepping stone to bigger clubs.
David Mokwa – £2,315 per week / £120,400 per year
Mokwa is a young prospect with potential to grow into a bigger role. As of now, he’s Hoffenheim’s lowest-paid player and mainly features at youth levels.
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Holstein Kiel
Newly promoted to the Bundesliga, Holstein Kiel is a club with humble resources and a strong focus on collective performance. Their main goal is to survive in the top division.
Marco Komenda – £1,985 per week / £103,200 per year
A dependable squad player, Komenda brings experience from the lower leagues. As the club’s lowest-paid player, he’s crucial in adding depth to a lean roster.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig has quickly become a Bundesliga force, regularly competing for titles and making deep European runs. Their roster features a mix of youth and international stars.
Tidiam Gomis – £9,427 per week / £490,200 per year
Gomis is a highly-rated teenage attacker already making waves. Though the club’s lowest earner, his salary is still substantial given his long-term potential.
Mainz
Mainz is known for developing young talent and punching above their financial weight. They remain a solid mid-table team capable of surprises.
Paul Nebel – £4,465 per week / £232,200 per year
Nebel is a creative winger with quick feet and vision. As Mainz’s lowest-paid player, he’s expected to grow into a bigger role over the next couple of seasons.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
A club with a rich history and loyal fanbase, Gladbach has struggled to reclaim its recent highs but still attracts notable talent.
Fabio Chiarodia – £4,630 per week / £240,800 per year
The young defender joined with high expectations. Although currently on a development wage, Chiarodia is a future investment for the club’s backline.
St. Pauli
Back in the Bundesliga with a cult following, St. Pauli blends leftist identity with passionate fan culture. Their promotion marks a historic return.
Lars Ritzka – £2,315 per week / £120,400 per year
Ritzka has been with the club through its climb and now faces top-tier competition. His salary is modest, but his role is vital in maintaining continuity.
VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart has enjoyed a resurgence with exciting young talent and bold attacking football. They’ve re-established themselves as a strong Bundesliga outfit.
Mohamed Sankoh – £2,977 per week / £154,800 per year
Sankoh is a physically gifted striker looking to make his mark. His earnings reflect his fringe status, but Stuttgart sees him as one to watch.
Union Berlin
Union has stunned Germany by going from relegation favorites to European regulars. Their story is one of structure, grit, and smart recruitment.
Aljoscha Kemlein – £2,481 per week / £129,000 per year
Kemlein is a homegrown talent learning the ropes at senior level. Though the lowest-paid, he represents the club’s continued commitment to youth.
Werder Bremen
After recent relegation and promotion cycles, Werder is finding stability again. The club’s tradition and academy remain cornerstones of its identity.
Mio Backhaus – £4,630 per week / £240,800 per year
A goalkeeper with solid fundamentals, Backhaus is seen as a future No. 1. His current wage reflects his role as an understudy gaining experience.
VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg mixes corporate stability with fluctuating on-pitch performance. They aim to balance European ambitions with domestic consistency.
Niklas Klinger – £4,963 per week / £258,000 per year
Klinger is an emerging shot-stopper developing behind established names. His earnings are respectable for a reserve but modest by Wolfsburg’s standards.
