The 12 highest-paid players in the EFL Championship (2024/25)

While the Premier League is one of the biggest and best leagues in Europe, the Championship isn’t far off, especially in terms of drama.

Over the years, some massive teams have found themselves fighting it out in the second tier, desperate to return to the top flight. This includes the likes of Leicester City, Southampton, West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers. Two of these sides have even won the Premier League since its inception, showing how volatile the division is.

Since 1992, wages have gradually increased over time. Back then, John Barnes was earning £10,000 per week for Liverpool. Fast-forward to the start of the current season and the highest paid player in the top flight is Erling Haaland, earning a staggering £525,000 a week. Obscene? Yes. But it won’t stop there, not with the money flowing into the game right now.

The Championship may be even more dramatic than the top flight this season. At the time of writing, there are four teams battling it out for the two automatic promotion places, with just six points between the play-off chasers and Sheffield Wednesday in 13th.

Further down, only 22 points separate bottom-of-the-table Luton Town and seventh-placed Coventry City. Anyone can beat anyone in the second tier, and that’s what makes it so entertaining.

However, in terms of wages, it still has a long way to go to catch up with the Premier League. As such, we have taken a look into the highest earners in the division.

Note: All statistics correct at the time of writing.

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12

Daniel James (Leeds)

£50,000 per week

Daniel James had the world at his feet back in 2019. The Welshman secured a stunning £18m move to Manchester United from Swansea City, signing a five-year deal.

Nine goals and nine assists in 74 matches was hardly a poor record, but he moved to Leeds at the start of the 2021/22 campaign and hasn’t looked back since.

Overall, 47 goal contributions have been recorded during his time with the club, and he is now hoping to lead them back into the promised land after a couple of seasons away.

He currently earns £50,000 per week at Leeds, making him one of the highest-paid players in the division.

11

Lewis O’Brien (Swansea)

£50,000 per week

Lewis O’Brien was part of the Nottingham Forest squad during their first foray into the Premier League this century back in 2022/23 before landing at current club Swansea in January on a loan deal.

He has played four times for the Swans so far and could be crucial in their bid to achieve a top-half finish in the division. As such, the midfielder is earning £50,000 a week during his temporary spell in Wales.

10

Hamza Choudhury (Sheff Utd)

£50,000 per week

Hamza Choudhury made his mark at Leicester City, featuring 131 times for the Foxes, winning the FA Cup in 2021.

He was key in their promotion back into the Premier League last term, playing 34 Championship matches during the club’s promotion campaign, and it looked as though his influence would be vital in the top flight.

The 27-year-old made just four appearances during the first half of the season, failing to secure a regular place in the starting XI and has since been moved on loan to Sheffield United.

Given his ability, the Blades have made a wise signing indeed. While at the club, he will be earning a salary of £50,000 per week.

9

Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff)

£50,000 per week

Once one of the finest midfielders of his generation, Aaron Ramsey is now back with his first club as he winds down his career.

Injuries may have hampered his chances of reaching his full potential, but playing for Arsenal and Juventus, while featuring in a European final with Rangers, have created plenty of career highlights.

A hamstring injury has plagued him this season, as the Welshman has played just seven games for Cardiff across all competitions. His contract expires at the end of the campaign, and it remains to be seen whether he will be offered an extension.

The 34-year-old is currently earning £50,000 per week in the Championship. Considering his output, perhaps this type of money could be better spent elsewhere next season.

8

Pascal Struijk (Leeds)

£50,000 per week

Pascal Struijk joined Leeds United in 2018, but had to wait until the 2019/20 season to make his debut for the club. Since then, the Dutchman has made over 150 appearances, including 82 in the Premier League.

In the second tier this term, the 25-year-old has won 60% of his total duels while helping his side keep 16 clean sheets across 29 matches. His £50,000-per-week wages make him one of the highest-paid players in the Championship, but on this evidence, he is well worth it.

7

Manor Solomon (Leeds)

£60,000 per week

While Struijk is keeping things tight at the back for Leeds, Manor Solomon is making things happen in the final third, and this could push the club back into the top flight after two years away.

Indeed, the Israeli star has scored seven league goals while grabbing seven assists for the club this term, with the Elland Road side currently sitting top of the Championship table.

Should they go on to achieve promotion, the 25-year-old could be a key player if Leeds can retain his services, and he currently earns £60,000 per week in West Yorkshire.

6

Junior Firpo (Leeds)

£60,000 per week

Another Leeds player. Junior Firpo joined the club from Barcelona, where he made 41 appearances for the Catalan side. His time at Leeds has been up and down, but showed his class in their recent 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United with a goal and an assist.

This season alone, he has registered eight assists in the Championship as Leeds are on the brink of a return to the Premier League.

Between 2021 and 2023, Firpo played 43 matches in the top flight, so he should know exactly what to expect upon promotion. Alongside Solomon, he also earns £60,000 per week, ranking him as one of the highest-paid players at Elland Road.

5

Nathaniel Phillips (Derby)

£65,000 per week

Nathaniel Phillips’ latest move saw him join Derby County on a season-long loan deal last summer. Since joining Liverpool in 2016, the 27-year-old has played only 29 times for the Reds, with his loan move to Derby being the fifth such move of his career.

His contract with the Anfield side expires at the end of this season, and it doesn’t appear as though he will be a regular feature of Arne Slot’s team for 2025/26.

The Championship appears to be his level, playing 21 times for the Rams during the current campaign, where he is earning a staggering £65,000 per week.

4

Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland)

£67,000 per week

Enzo Le Fee joined Sunderland from AS Roma on loan until the end of the season during the winter window, marking a massive statement of intent by the Black Cats.

He had only moved to Roma six months previously and has gone on to make eight appearances for the Championship side already, registering two goal contributions.

If all goes well, Sunderland will have the option of signing Le Fee on a permanent basis ahead of next season. Securing promotion will bolster their chances of securing the deal for the Frenchman, who earns £67,000 per week at the club.

3

Mason Holgate (West Brom)

£70,000 per week

Despite appearing for Everton this season, Mason Holgate was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.

Since his move, the Englishman has made 20 Championship appearances for the Baggies, winning 60% of his total duels while losing possession just 6.6 times per game in the second tier.

Performances like this may well impress David Moyes, who has prevented the Toffees from suffering yet another relegation battle.

Holgate is earning a hefty £70,000 per week during his time at The Hawthorns.

2

Patrick Bamford (Leeds)

£70,000 per week

Patrick Bamford scored 16 goals in the second tier during the 2019/20 campaign as Leeds secured promotion, and followed this up with a stunning return of 17 Premier League goals the following season.

He even made his England debut in 2021 due to his impressive form for Leeds, but it hasn’t been the best of times since.

Across his last three seasons, Bamford has netted just 20 goals in all competitions for Leeds, despite being paid £70,000 per week, ranking him second on the list of highest salaries in the Championship.

1

Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough)

£75,000 per week

Top of the list is Middlesbrough striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who earns £75,000 per week at the club following his loan move from Sevilla.

The Nigerian centre-forward has plenty of experience in England, making over 300 appearances across spells with Manchester City and Leicester City, scoring 82 goals in the process.

He has yet to open up his account for Boro, but once he finds his rhythm, Iheanacho could well prove to be an excellent short-term signing as Boro seek a play-off place.