Promise David went from an unknown striker in Malta and Estonia to Belgium’s most feared centre-forward in just two years.
This article covers his net worth, salary, contract, career earnings, and the remarkable journey behind it all.
Promise David’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Place of Birth | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian / Nigerian |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Current Club | Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgian Pro League) |
| Jersey Number | 12 |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2029 |
| Turned Professional | 2019 (NK Trnje, Croatia) |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | Estimated €500,000–€700,000 per year |
| International Team | Canada (since 2025) |
Early Life and Career
Promise David was born on July 3, 2001, in Brampton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. Growing up in one of Canada’s most diverse cities, he developed a passion for football from a young age.
His talent was spotted early, and he joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2012 at just ten years old, spending four formative years in their youth setup.
In 2016, he moved to Vaughan Azzurri, a local club in Ontario’s competitive youth soccer landscape. He stayed there through 2019, continuing to refine his physicality and goalscoring instincts.
That same year, a Croatian club came calling — NK Trnje scouted him and offered him a place in their youth academy.
It was a bold move for a teenager from Canada, but David accepted and relocated to Zagreb. He made his senior debut with Trnje between 2019 and 2021, showing flashes of the aerial dominance and clinical finishing that would later define him.
In September 2021, he returned to North America briefly, signing an academy contract with USL Championship side FC Tulsa.
The stint was short but valuable, giving him his first experience of professional football in an American environment. The path was anything but linear, but each stop added something to his development — and the biggest breakthrough was still ahead.
Professional Career
After leaving FC Tulsa, David moved to Malta in January 2022, joining Valletta FC on a short-term deal.
He made an immediate impact, scoring the goal that took Valletta to the 2021–22 Maltese FA Trophy final, where they finished as runners-up. He then transferred to fellow Maltese club Sirens FC in June 2022, adding more senior minutes to his record.
The turning point came in February 2023 when he signed with Nõmme Kalju on Transfermarkt for a fee of €25,000.
He initially played for the club’s reserve side in the Estonian third tier before forcing his way into the first team and scoring seven goals in his debut Meistriliiga season.
In 2024, he elevated his game significantly, finishing sixth in the Estonian top-flight scoring charts with 14 goals for Nõmme Kalju.
Those performances earned him a transfer to Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2024 for a fee of €400,000, which later rose to €600,000 through performance clauses. His debut season at Union SG was historic.
He finished as the club’s top scorer in both the league (19 goals) and across all competitions (24 goals), helping Union Saint-Gilloise win the Belgian Pro League title — their first since 1934–35.
He followed that up in 2025–26, scoring 14 goals in 30 appearances, including two in seven UEFA Champions League outings, as Union SG reached the Champions League league phase and won the Belgian Cup.
On the international stage, David committed his future to Canada in early 2025, having previously represented Nigeria at U23 level. He has made 10 appearances for Canada, scoring 3 goals in 246 minutes of international football.
Promise David’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Promise David’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts across Croatia, Malta, Estonia, and Belgium, with his earnings growing significantly since joining Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024.
Contract
Promise David joined Union Saint-Gilloise on July 2, 2024, and his contract runs until June 30, 2029. His contract was extended on June 17, 2025, reflecting the club’s determination to hold onto their prized asset.
His market value has risen to approximately €20 million, with interest from Premier League clubs including West Ham, Everton, and Leeds, as well as European sides like Lille and Napoli.
According to his Transfermarkt profile, Kalju FC retains a 15% sell-on clause on any future transfer fee, meaning his former Estonian club stands to benefit from a big-money move.
Union SG’s official position remains that he is not for sale, though reports suggest a gentleman’s agreement exists for a summer 2026 departure if the right offer arrives from a major league.
Salary
Promise David’s exact salary at Union Saint-Gilloise has not been publicly disclosed. The Belgian Pro League does not publish player wage data, and his Capology salary profile requires a subscription for full details.
Based on his market value of around €17–20 million, his contract length, and standard Belgian Pro League benchmarks for top scorers and Champions League participants, his annual salary is realistically estimated in the range of €500,000 to €700,000 gross per year.
Prior to Union SG, his earnings at Nõmme Kalju and in Malta were significantly lower — the Estonian Meistriliiga is a semi-professional league by European standards, and salaries there are modest.
His move to Belgium represented the first time he earned a truly professional wage.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | NK Trnje | Croatian lower leagues | Minimal / semi-pro |
| 2022 | Valletta FC | Maltese Premier League | ~€20,000–30,000 |
| 2022–2023 | Sirens FC | Maltese Premier League | ~€25,000–40,000 |
| 2023 | Nõmme Kalju | Meistriliiga (Estonia) | ~€60,000–80,000 |
| 2024 | Nõmme Kalju | Meistriliiga (Estonia) | ~€80,000–100,000 |
| 2024–2025 | Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgian Pro League | ~€500,000–600,000 |
| 2025–2026 | Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgian Pro League / UCL | ~€600,000–700,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | NK Trnje | Croatian leagues | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Valletta FC | Maltese Premier League | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | Sirens FC | Maltese Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Nõmme Kalju | Meistriliiga | 23 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | Nõmme Kalju | Meistriliiga | 16 | 14 | 3 |
| 2024–25 | Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgian Pro League + All comps | 41 | 24 | — |
| 2025–26 | Union Saint-Gilloise | Belgian Pro League + UCL + Cup | 30+ | 15 | — |
| Canada (International) | 10 | 3 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Promise David’s net worth?
Promise David’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million. He earned most of this through his Belgian Pro League contracts at Union Saint-Gilloise after years of lower-earning stints in Malta and Estonia.
How much does Promise David earn at Union Saint-Gilloise?
His exact salary is not public. Based on his market value and Belgian Pro League benchmarks for top scorers, his annual earnings are estimated between €500,000 and €700,000 gross per year.
How did Promise David get his big break?
He signed with Estonian club Nõmme Kalju in 2023 after years in Malta and Croatia. He scored 21 goals in two Meistriliiga seasons, which earned him a €400,000 transfer to Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2024.
What trophies has Promise David won?
He has won three titles with Union Saint-Gilloise: the Belgian Pro League (2024–25), the Belgian Super Cup (2024–25), and the Belgian Cup (2025–26).
Does Promise David play for Canada or Nigeria?
He plays for Canada. He represented Nigeria at U23 level in 2022 but committed his senior international future to Canada in early 2025. He has since made 10 appearances for the Canadian national team, scoring 3 goals.
