Bukayo Saka is a professional football player who currently plays as a winger for both the English national team and Arsenal Football Club. He was born on September 5, 2001, in Ealing, London, England.
Saka began his football career in Arsenal's youth academy, joining the club at the age of seven. He progressed through the ranks and made his first-team debut for Arsenal on November 29, 2018, in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava. His Premier League debut came a few months later on January 1, 2019, in a game against Fulham.
During the 2019-2020 season, Saka started gaining more regular playing time, and his versatility was evident as he played in multiple positions, including left-back, left wing-back, and left winger. He quickly established himself as a key player for Arsenal and impressed with his pace, dribbling ability, and intelligent decision-making on the pitch.
Saka's breakthrough season came in the 2020-2021 campaign, where he continued to shine for Arsenal. He showcased his versatility by playing in different positions across the midfield and attack. Saka's performances earned him a call-up to the England national team in October 2020, and he made his international debut on October 8, 2020, in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales.
One of Saka's standout moments came during the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. Despite being only 19 years old at the time, he played a crucial role in England's journey to the final. Saka's impressive performances, especially in the knockout stages, helped him become a fan favorite and showcased his ability to perform on the big stage.
As a player, Saka is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, close ball control, and excellent crossing ability. He possesses great vision and awareness on the pitch, often making intelligent passes and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, Saka's work rate, commitment, and defensive contribution make him an asset to both Arsenal and the England national team.
Saka's talent and potential have earned him numerous accolades and recognition within the footballing world. He has received several awards, including Arsenal's Player of the Season for both 2020/21 campaign and 2021/22 season.
Bukayo Saka's Sponsors and Partners
New Balance
In 2021, it was revealed that Bukayo Saka had signed a sponsorship deal with American footwear and apparel company New Balance.
Landing a high-profile exclusive boot deal at the tender age of 19 was a testament to his rising star, and he has since received his signature boot from New Balance, a feat very few players get to experience.
He wears the recently released Furon 7 boots during club and international matches.
Other players who have endorsement deals with New Balance include Sadio Mane and Raheem Sterling.
Fiverr
Fiverr, an online marketplace that connects freelancers with clients who need various services, is another company that Saka has partnered with.
The partnership came into light in 2022. In the first phase Saka got featured in video content created by Fiverr outlining his ambitions for his partnership with Fiverr.
Bukayo Saka's Salary
Bukayo Saka signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in September 2018. The contract was set to run until the end of the 2023/ 2024 season, and the youngster would earn around £30,000 per week.
As one of the crucial members of the Arsenal team, his salary was increased to £70,000 ahead of the 2022/2023 season to ward off interest from top European teams.
He has since extended his stay with Arsenal until at least 2027, and he will be earning a weekly salary in the region of £300,000, making him one of the best-paid players in the Premier League and the highest-paid Arsenal player.
As one of the best-paid and fast-rising stars in football today, Saka's net worth is estimated to be in the region of $5 million.
Bukayo Saka's Girlfriend
Saka has managed to keep details of his private life pretty much discreet. The Arsenal star is in a relationship with Instagram model, Tolami Benson.
They were first seen together in public at the 2022 world cup in Qatar and have been dating since 2020.