New York City FC operates a $15.3 million wage bill for 2025, ranking 14th in Major League Soccer spending. Nico Fernández Mercau leads the Pigeons at $3.65 million guaranteed compensation following his summer designated player signing, making him NYCFC’s highest earner since David Villa in 2018.
The Bronx-based club employs 33 first-team players with an average salary of $482,709, slightly below the MLS average. Three players earn over $1 million annually, reflecting modest spending under City Football Group ownership compared to other MLS clubs.
View complete New York City FC squad information through detailed player biography and net worth profiles for each team member.
| Player Name | Position | Nationality |
| Greg Ranjitsingh | Goalkeeper | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Tomas Romero | Goalkeeper | El Salvador |
| Alexander Rando | Goalkeeper | USA |
| Matthew Freese | Goalkeeper | USA |
| Nico Cavallo | Defender | USA |
| Birk Risa | Defender | Norway |
| Strahinja Tanasijevic | Defender | Serbia |
| Thiago Martins | Defender | Brazil |
| Max Murray | Defender | USA |
| Tayvon Gray | Defender | Jamaica |
| Prince Amponsah | Defender | USA |
| Mitja Ilenic | Defender | Slovenia |
| Andrew Baiera | Defender | USA |
| Andrés Perea | Midfielder | USA |
| Maxi Morález | Midfielder | Argentina |
| Maximo Carrizo | Midfielder | USA |
| Jonathan Shore | Midfielder | USA |
| Jacob Arroyave | Midfielder | USA |
| Keaton Parks | Midfielder | USA |
| Peter Molinari | Midfielder | USA |
| Justin Haak | Midfielder | USA |
| Monsef Bakrar | Forward | Algeria |
| Julián Fernández | Forward | Argentina |
| Alonso Martínez | Forward | Costa Rica |
| Hannes Wolf | Forward | Austria |
| Kevin O’Toole | Forward | USA |
| Agustin Ojeda | Forward | Argentina |
| Zidane Yañez | Forward | Chile |
| Malachi Jones | Forward | Sierra Leone |
| Seymour Reid | Forward | Jamaica |
Top 10 Highest-Paid New York City FC Players
NYCFC’s wage structure centers on Nico’s mid-season designated player acquisition. His $3.65 million salary represents the club’s first $3M+ earner since Maxi Moralez’s $3.28 million in 2021.
| Player | Position | Base Salary | Guaranteed Compensation | Contract Status |
| Nico Fernández Mercau | Midfielder | $3,650,000 | $3,650,000 | Designated Player |
| Thiago Martins | Defender | $1,700,000 | $2,162,000 | Designated Player |
| Hannes Wolf | Midfielder | $1,400,000 | $1,510,000 | TAM Player |
| James Sands | Midfielder | $1,250,000 | $1,318,750 | TAM Player |
| Talles Magno | Midfielder | $950,000 | $1,065,000 | TAM Player |
| Raul Gustavo | Defender | $720,000 | $812,960 | TAM Player |
| Alonso Martínez | Forward | $700,000 | $800,333 | TAM Player |
| Andrés Perea | Midfielder | $660,000 | $726,500 | TAM Player |
| Julián Fernández | Forward | $660,000 | $724,300 | Standard |
| Jovan Mijatović | Forward | $650,000 | $687,500 | Standard |
Martins’ compensation decreased $300,000 from 2024’s $2.46 million, while Keaton Parks’ salary dropped 49% from $1.03M to $530,000, demonstrating roster optimization strategies.
MLS Wage Bill Rankings
NYCFC’s $15.3 million guaranteed compensation ranks 14th league-wide, representing middle-of-the-pack MLS spending. The club trails Nashville SC ($21.8M), FC Cincinnati ($23.2M), and significantly lags Inter Miami ($49M).
The $482,709 average player salary sits below the MLS league average of $649,000. NYCFC’s wage-to-revenue ratio remains sustainable given Yankee Stadium rent challenges and smaller stadium capacity compared to purpose-built MLS venues.
Nico’s summer signing bumped NYCFC from 24th in June to 14th in October, demonstrating immediate payroll impact. His $3.65 million ranks 21st among all MLS players league-wide.
Richest New York City FC Players by Net Worth
NYCFC’s squad includes players who built modest wealth through South American and European careers. Most maintain moderate fortunes through consistent MLS earnings.
| Player | Position | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Previous Major Clubs |
| Nico Fernández Mercau | Midfielder | $8 million | 23 | Racing Club, Argentina |
| Thiago Martins | Defender | $7 million | 28 | Fluminense, Brazil |
| Hannes Wolf | Midfielder | $6 million | 26 | RB Leipzig, Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Maxi Moralez | Midfielder | $5 million | 38 | León, Racing Club |
| James Sands | Midfielder | $4 million | 25 | Rangers, USMNT |
Nico accumulated $8 million through Racing Club contracts and Argentine youth national team success before his NYCFC designated player deal. His $3.65 million salary represents significant career earnings leap.
Martins built $7 million through Brazilian football at Fluminense earning $1-2 million annually. His NYCFC contract maintains competitive MLS wages.
Wolf’s $6 million came through Bundesliga contracts at RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His NYCFC move provides MLS opportunity at $1.51 million annually.
Position-Based Salary Distribution
NYCFC’s wage allocation emphasizes midfield creativity and defensive stability. The club’s possession-based system requires technical excellence in central areas.
Midfield Investment: $9.5 million combined (Nico, Wolf, Sands, Magno, Perea, Moralez dominate)
Defensive Spending: $3.9 million total (Martins, Gustavo, Ilenič, Tanasijević lead)
Forward Wages: $2.3 million combined (Martínez, J. Fernández, Mijatović highest)
Goalkeeping: $795,677 total (Freese $491k provides value)
The midfield-heavy allocation reflects tactical priorities requiring possession control. Six midfielders earn $500,000-$3.65M, creating depth for pressing system.
Nico’s $3.65 million represents 23.9% of NYCFC’s wage bill. His creative quality provides playmaking upgrade absent since David Villa’s 2018 departure.
Performance Bonuses and Contract Structure
NYCFC structures contracts with MLS standard achievement bonuses. MLS Cup title bonuses reach $150,000-$400,000 per player if championships are won.
Eastern Conference championship bonuses add $50,000-$150,000 for reaching MLS Cup Final. Supporters’ Shield bonuses pay $75,000-$200,000 if regular season titles are secured.
Goal and assist bonuses reward attackers $20,000-$60,000 per season based on targets. Clean sheet bonuses pay defenders $15,000-$40,000 for meeting defensive metrics.
USMNT call-up bonuses compensate American players for national team duty. Sands benefits from these clauses during international windows.
FAQs
Who is New York City FC’s highest-paid player?
Nico Fernández Mercau leads NYCFC at $3.65 million guaranteed compensation following his July 2025 designated player signing. He’s the club’s highest earner since David Villa ($5.61M) in 2018.
What is New York City FC’s total wage bill?
NYCFC’s 2025 guaranteed compensation totals $15.29 million, ranking 14th in MLS. This represents improvement from 24th place in June before Nico’s mid-season acquisition.
How much does Thiago Martins earn at NYCFC?
Martins receives $2,162,000 guaranteed compensation ($1.7M base salary), down $300,000 from 2024’s $2.46 million. His designated player contract makes him the club’s second-highest earner.
Why is NYCFC’s payroll lower than other large-market MLS clubs?
NYCFC operates under City Football Group ownership emphasizing financial sustainability over star signings. Yankee Stadium rental costs and smaller capacity (30,000) limit revenue compared to purpose-built MLS venues, constraining payroll growth.
How does NYCFC’s spending compare to New York Red Bulls?
While specific Red Bulls 2025 data wasn’t retrieved, NYCFC’s $15.3M wage bill historically matches or slightly exceeds Red Bulls’ spending. Both New York clubs operate conservative payrolls compared to LA, Miami, and other large markets.
