John Salako is a name that brings back great memories for Crystal Palace fans and 90s football lovers.
The former England international dazzled crowds with his pace on the wing before becoming a familiar face on TV screens as a pundit.
In this article, you will know John Salako’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
John Salako’s Biography
| Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Akin Salako |
| Date of Birth | February 11, 1969 |
| Age | 57 years old |
| Education | The Wildernesse School (Sevenoaks) |
| Nationality | English / Nigerian |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Turned Pro | 1986 |
| Net Worth | $2 Million – $5 Million (Estimated) |
| Primary Income | Business Director Salary, Media Work |
| Wife | Susie Salako |
| Children | 3 Children |
| Current Role | Director at SME Business Finance |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Early Career
John Salako was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, but his life took a major turn when he moved to England as a young boy. His family settled in Kent after his father sadly passed away in a car accident.
He attended The Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks, where his natural athletic talent started to shine. Football became his main focus, and he joined the youth ranks at Crystal Palace in the mid-1980s.
He worked his way up through the academy with determination. His speed and skill on the ball caught the eye of the coaches early on. He made his senior debut in 1986, marking the start of a special relationship with the South London club.
His early days were about proving he could handle the physical nature of professional football while using his flair to beat defenders. He quickly became a key part of the team that would soon achieve historic success.
Professional Career
John Salako is best known for his incredible time at Crystal Palace. He helped the team win promotion to the First Division in 1989 and played a huge role in their famous 1990 FA Cup run.
He played in the final against Manchester United, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw before Palace lost the replay. His form was so good that he earned five caps for the England national team in 1991.
A serious knee injury slowed his momentum, but he fought back to continue his career at the top level.
In 1995, he moved to Coventry City for a big transfer fee. He later played for clubs like Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, and Charlton Athletic.
He helped Charlton and Fulham win promotions, showing he was a winner wherever he went. He finished his playing days at Brentford in 2005 before moving into coaching and media work.
Wife
John Salako is a family man who keeps his personal life relatively private but is known to be very close to his loved ones. He is married to Susie Salako.
The couple has been together for many years and they share a strong bond.
They have three children together. John often speaks proudly about his family on his social media channels.
He credits his family for their support throughout his football career and his transition into the business world.
John Salako’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, John Salako has an estimated net worth of $2 Million to $5 Million. This wealth comes from his long football career, his work as a Sky Sports pundit, and his current success as a business director.
Contract
During his peak in the 1990s, John Salako signed several significant contracts. His most notable move was from Crystal Palace to Coventry City in 1995. Coventry paid a transfer fee of £1.5 million for his services, which was a large amount at the time .
Before that, he was a key asset for Crystal Palace. Later in his career, he signed deals with Fulham, Charlton, and Reading. These contracts were typical for experienced Premier League and Division One players of that era.
Salary
Football salaries in the 90s were much lower than they are today, but John Salako still earned a very good living as a top-flight player. His salary does not come from playing football.
Instead, he earns a salary as the Business Development Director at SME Business Finance . He also earns fees for his appearances as a football pundit and speaker.
This dual income stream helps him maintain his financial stability after his retirement from sports.
Career Earnings
| Period | Club / Role | Financial Note / Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1986–1995 | Crystal Palace (Player) | Graduated from youth wages to First Division salary |
| 1995 | Transfer to Coventry City | £1.5 Million Transfer Fee |
| 1995–1998 | Coventry City (Player) | Premier League level wages |
| 1998 | Transfer to Fulham | Undisclosed Fee |
| 1999–2000 | Charlton Athletic (Player) | Division One / PL salary |
| 2009–2016 | Crystal Palace (Coach) | Academy & First Team Coach salary |
| 2020–2026 | SME Business Finance | Director Salary (Current Income) |
Career Stats
| Club | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | 1986–1995 | 215 | 22 |
| Swansea City (Loan) | 1989 | 13 | 3 |
| Coventry City | 1995–1998 | 72 | 4 |
| Bolton Wanderers (Loan) | 1998 | 7 | 0 |
| Fulham | 1998–1999 | 27 | 2 |
| Charlton Athletic | 1999–2002 | 72 | 3 |
| Reading | 2002–2004 | 74 | 8 |
| Brentford | 2004–2005 | 33 | 4 |
| England National Team | 1991 | 5 | 0 |
FAQs
1. Who is John Salako’s wife?
John Salako is married to Susie Salako. She has supported him throughout his career, including the famous moment she answered the phone to England manager Graham Taylor.
2. What is John Salako doing?
He works as a Business Development Director for a finance company called SME Business Finance. He also still does occasional media work and punditry for football shows.
3. Did John Salako play for England?
Yes, he earned five caps for the England senior team. He played during a tour of Australasia and was a very exciting prospect before his injury.
4. Which clubs did John Salako play for?
He is a legend at Crystal Palace but also played for Coventry City, Fulham, Charlton Athletic, Reading, Brentford, Bolton Wanderers, and Swansea City during his long career.
5. How much was John Salako’s transfer fee?
His biggest transfer happened when he moved from Crystal Palace to Coventry City. Coventry paid a fee of £1.5 million for the winger.
