MLS Players Association Release Salary Guide, Walker Zimmerman Highest Paid Defender

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Walker Zimmerman. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The MLS Players Association (MLSPA) has released its annual salary guide, and with it comes a deeper look into Nashville SC’s payroll.

The highest paid player for Nashville, clocking in at a base salary of $2,088,225 and a guaranteed compensation of $2,345,214, is Walker Zimmerman. Zimmerman was just signed to a new contract earlier this year and was named as one of Nashville’s Designated Players. The two-time MLS Defender of the Year has been one of the biggest signings in the club’s short history.

Zimmerman is also the highest paid defender in the league and 28th highest paid overall.

Second on that list is Hany Mukhtar with a base salary of 1,637,500 and guaranteed compensation of $1,926,250. Nashville SC extended his contract this year along with Zimmerman, and also named the German international a Designated Player. Mukhtar is coming off his best season in 2022, winning the Golden Boot and is currently the favorite to win the MVP.

Mukhtar solidified himself as one of the top players in the league in 2021, finishing with 16 goals and 12 assists, and being the MVP runner-up. Compared to the other top players in the league, his base salary is quite low. With players like Chicharito (LA Galaxy) and Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) making between $3 million and $7 million, Nashville SC hit the jackpot for how much they are paying for Mukhtar compared to his performance.

One salary that may surprise some is Ake Loba‘s, whose base salary is $1,250,000 and guaranteed salary is $1,491,475. Loba has unperformed since joining Nashville SC, and this season he played in 21 games, scoring one goal in 300 minutes played.

Other notable player salaries are Randall Leal and Aníbal Godoy who are making $850,000 and $800,000, respectively. Leal had a solid season making a lot of chances for Nashville’s offense and creating opportunities. Godoy had a slow season as he suffered injuries on and off through 2022.

Recently acquired defender Shaq Moore has a base salary of $700,000, and longtime attacker CJ Sapong is making $550,000. NSC goalkeeper Joe Willis has a base salary of $300,000.

For more details about Nashville SC player salaries and other salaries throughout the MLS, go to the MSLPA website.

Steven Boero
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