Ajax operates a €33.2 million wage bill for 2025-26, marking a dramatic decline from their €65+ million peak during the 2019-2022 Champions League era. Ko Itakura leads the squad at €3.9 million annually, making him the Eredivisie’s highest-paid player.
The Amsterdam giants’ average first-team salary sits at €1.2 million per season, highest in the Dutch league. Ajax employs just five players earning over €2 million annually, reflecting post-Champions League financial restructuring following departures of Antony, Martinez, and other stars.
Learn more about Ajax players’ career paths and personal wealth through their complete biography and net worth profiles.
| Player Name | Position | Nationality |
| Ko Itakura | Defender | Japan |
| Steven Berghuis | Winger | Netherlands |
| Owen Wijndal | Defender | Netherlands |
| Branco van den Boomen | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Wout Weghorst | Forward | Netherlands |
| Kasper Dolberg | Forward | Denmark |
| Josip Sutalo | Defender | Croatia |
| Davy Klaassen | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Raúl Moro | Forward | Spain |
| Oscar Gloukh | Midfielder | Israel |
| Remko Pasveer | Goalkeeper | Netherlands |
| Brian Brobbey | Forward | Netherlands |
| Steven Bergwijn | Winger | Netherlands |
| Kenneth Taylor | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Jorrel Hato | Defender | Netherlands |
| Devyne Rensch | Defender | Netherlands |
| Ahmetcan Kaplan | Defender | Turkey |
| Dies Janse | Goalkeeper | Netherlands |
| Chuba Akpom | Forward | England |
| Bertrand Traoré | Winger | Burkina Faso |
| Kian Fitz-Jim | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Mika Godts | Winger | Belgium |
| Anton Gaaei | Defender | Denmark |
| Diant Ramaj | Goalkeeper | Germany |
| Sivert Mannsverk | Midfielder | Norway |
| Daniele Rugani | Defender | Italy |
Top 10 Highest-Paid Ajax Players
Ajax’s current wage structure emphasizes defensive stability and experienced leadership. Itakura’s €75,000 weekly salary represents the club’s renewed defensive investment following Champions League elimination disappointment.
| Player | Position | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary | Contract Until |
| Ko Itakura | Defender | €75,000 | €3.9 million | 2029 |
| Steven Berghuis | Winger | €57,700 | €3 million | 2027 |
| Owen Wijndal | Defender | €48,000 | €2.5 million | 2027 |
| Branco van den Boomen | Midfielder | €48,000 | €2.5 million | 2027 |
| Wout Weghorst | Forward | €48,000 | €2.5 million | 2026 |
| Kasper Dolberg | Forward | €48,000 | €2.5 million | 2029 |
| Josip Sutalo | Defender | €38,500 | €2 million | 2028 |
| Davy Klaassen | Midfielder | €34,600 | €1.8 million | 2027 |
| Raúl Moro | Forward | €28,800 | €1.5 million | 2030 |
| Oscar Gloukh | Midfielder | €28,800 | €1.5 million | 2030 |
Four players tied at €2.5 million annually create balanced wage distribution across positions. This prevents internal discord while maintaining financial flexibility for future acquisitions.
Total Wage Bill and Financial Decline
Ajax’s €33.2 million wage bill represents approximately 50% reduction from their 2021-22 peak of €65+ million. Departures of Sebastien Haller (€3.86M), Ryan Gravenberch (€2.84M), Lisandro Martinez (€2.59M), and Andre Onana (€1.99M) slashed annual commitments by €14.8 million.
The club’s wage-to-revenue ratio improved to approximately 35-40% after Champions League elimination forced fiscal restructuring. This conservative approach enables sustainable operations despite reduced European revenue.
Ajax ranks 25th among 36 Champions League clubs in wage spending for 2025-26. PSV Eindhoven maintains similar €32.3 million expenditure, creating competitive Eredivisie balance.
The average €1.2 million squad salary leads the Eredivisie but trails mid-table Premier League clubs by 300-400%. This wage gap explains Ajax’s talent exodus to England, Spain, and Germany.
Richest Ajax Players by Net Worth
Ajax’s squad includes several players who built wealth at previous clubs or through extended Amsterdam careers. Most current players accumulate modest fortunes compared to Europe’s elite leagues.
| Player | Position | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Previous Major Clubs |
| Wout Weghorst | Forward | $18 million | 33 | Manchester United, Burnley |
| Steven Berghuis | Winger | $15 million | 33 | Feyenoord, Ajax |
| Kasper Dolberg | Forward | $12 million | 28 | Nice, Sevilla |
| Davy Klaassen | Midfielder | $10 million | 32 | Everton, Inter Miami |
| Ko Itakura | Defender | $8 million | 28 | Manchester City, Schalke |
Weghorst accumulated $18 million through Premier League wages at Manchester United and Burnley plus Bundesliga earnings. His Ajax return represents semi-retirement while maintaining competitive salary.
Berghuis built $15 million through Feyenoord and Ajax careers spanning 15 years. His €3 million Ajax salary makes him the club’s second-highest earner after returning from attempted European moves.
Position-Based Salary Breakdown
Ajax’s wage allocation reflects modern defensive priorities while maintaining attacking investment. The club’s 4-3-3 system requires quality across all positions rather than superstar concentration.
Forward Investment: €9.5 million combined (Weghorst, Dolberg, Moro lead attacking wages)
Midfield Spending: €8.9 million total (Van den Boomen, Klaassen, Gloukh highest)
Defensive Priority: €11.3 million combined (Itakura, Wijndal, Sutalo dominate spending)
Goalkeeping: €1.1 million total (Pasveer €500k, backup options modest)
Itakura’s €3.9 million represents 11.7% of Ajax’s entire wage bill, demonstrating defensive investment priority. His signing signals tactical shift emphasizing defensive stability over attacking flair.
The €500,000 goalkeeper budget reflects Ajax’s youth development philosophy. 41-year-old Remko Pasveer’s modest wages allow investment elsewhere while maintaining adequate quality.
Contract Incentives and Bonuses
Ajax structures contracts with substantial achievement bonuses. Champions League qualification adds approximately €300,000-€700,000 per player when secured through playoffs.
Eredivisie title bonuses reach €200,000-€500,000 per player if the championship is won. Ajax’s 36 league titles create substantial historical bonus payout obligations during successful campaigns.
Europa League progression bonuses pay €150,000-€400,000 for reaching knockout stages. Ajax’s 2024-25 Europa League campaign creates moderate additional earning potential for squad members.
Goal bonuses reward attackers €30,000-€80,000 per season based on targets. Clean sheet bonuses pay defenders €15,000-€40,000 for meeting defensive metrics across competitions.
FAQs
Who is Ajax’s highest-paid player?
Ko Itakura leads Ajax wages at €75,000 weekly (€3.9 million annually), making him the Eredivisie’s highest-paid player. His contract through 2029 reflects Ajax’s defensive reconstruction following Champions League disappointment.
What is Ajax’s total wage bill?
Ajax’s 2025-26 wage bill totals €33.2 million, ranking 25th among 36 Champions League clubs. This represents approximately 50% reduction from their €65+ million peak during the 2019-2022 era.
How much does Steven Berghuis earn at Ajax?
Berghuis earns €57,700 weekly (€3 million annually) as Ajax’s second-highest-paid player. His contract runs through 2027, providing experienced leadership at competitive but sustainable wages.
Why is Ajax’s wage bill so low compared to other Champions League clubs?
Ajax’s €33.2 million wage bill reflects post-2022 financial restructuring following star player departures. The club lost €14.8 million in annual wages through sales of Haller, Martinez, Onana, and Gravenberch, forcing sustainable spending levels.
Do Ajax players receive Champions League bonuses?
Yes, Ajax contracts include Champions League qualification bonuses ranging from €300,000-€700,000 per player. Europa League progression adds €150,000-€400,000, with Eredivisie title bonuses reaching €200,000-€500,000 per player.
