Pro footballers in Belgium earn more than €20,000 per month

A football player in Belgium’s first-class Jupiler Pro League earns an average annual salary of about €253,586 before taxes, writes Het Nieuwsblad. The amount includes basic wages, group insurance premiums, holiday pay and a 13th month.

Anderlecht players are the highest paid in the league by far, with an average gross annual salary of €600,000, followed by Standard Liège (€366,000) and Club Brugge (€365,000). The salaries have increased by 60% over the past six years, from €158,000 to nearly €254,000.

Based on statistics, Het Nieuwsblad concludes that Racing Genk is the richest club in the Jupiler Pro League, and Lierse the poorest. Anderlecht has the highest revenue, while AA Gent carries the most debt.

Last season, Belgium’s first-class football clubs booked a combined loss of nearly €21 million.