What could Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s salary be at San Diego FC?

The Mexican forward is set to become a landmark signing for the MLS expansion team, leaving behind title-winning PSV Eindhoven.

William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 4th, 2024 07:57 EDT0

Adrian Macias

Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s long-rumoured move to San Diego FC looks to be edging ever closer as the MLS expansion side close in on their first Designated Player signing.

The 28-year-old forward has spent seven years in Europe with PSV Eindhoven and Napoli, winning three league titles and becoming a key p for the Mexican national team. ESPN reports that Lozano’s move to San Diego is nearly completed and has outlined his potential salary range.

Lozano is expected to earn $7-$9 million per year in MLS, which would make him one of the league’s top earners. Reports suggest that he could sign for San Diego this summer, before being loaned back to Europe ahead of the start of San Diego’s inaugural MLS campaign next year.

Full screen

Hirving Lozano won another title with an imperious PSV Eindhoven side this year.MAURICE VAN STEENEFE

For San Diego, it could prove to be a prudent investment. When LAFC joined MLS in 2017 they brought in Carlos Vela to lead the project and the Mexican star proved a massive success, both on the field and in commercial terms. He broke the league’s single-season scoring record in 2019 and led the team to MLS Cup in 2022.

Which players have the biggest salaries in MLS?

Securing Lozano’s services at the age of 28 would be a major coup in a league where top talents typically arrive towards the end of their careers. The sporting challenge proposed by San Diego, along with significant cultural ties, appears to have lured Lozano to MLS.

Also a factor, undoubtedly, is the salary that San Diego are offering, enough to make him one of the five highest-paid players in the league. He looks set to earn around the same amount as Sergio Busquets and Xherdan Shaqiri, behind only Lionel Messi and Lorenzo Insigne.

Current MLS top earners (guaranteed salary)

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami – $20.4 millionLorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC – $15.4Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami – $8.8 millionXherdan Shaqiri, Chicago Fire – $8.2 millionSebastian Driussi, Austin FC – $6.7 million