Lyle Foster opens up on being South Africa’s most expensive player
Burnley FC and Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster has opened up on being South Africa’s most expensive player.
Lyle Foster joined English Championship side Burnley FC on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Belgian outfit K.V.C. Westerlo in January.
The 22-year-old hitman penned the Burney FC deal following an impressive stint with Westerlo. He netted eight goals and provided four assists in 21 appearances.
THE VALUE OF LYLE FOSTER’S TRANSFER
The Bafana forward joined Burnley FC for a transfer fee in the region of €7m [R131m], which is set to rise to €10m [R187m] if his side gain promotion to the Premier League.
And with Burnley 13 points clear at the summit of the Championship log standings, promotion to the league is inevitable for the Clarets and Foster.
Foster’s contract with Burnley FC makes him the most expensive player in SA football history as he has surpassed the legendary Benni McCarthy’s €6m transfer fee in 1999. McCarthy had moved from Ajax Amsterdam to La Liga side Celta Vigo.
In addition, Foster is earning in the region of R20 million annually, as reported by English media.
R215,000 [£10,000] is said to be the lowest weekly wage for a Championship player, and Foster could be earning a weekly gross in excess of R430,000 [£20,000] before tax at Burnley.
FOSTER’S VIEWS ON BEING SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYER
The Orlando Pirates youth product, Foster, has since shared his views on being SA’s most expensive star.
He is eager to remain grounded and work hard to be rated among the best strikers in SA.
“I’m grateful for everything that’s happening,” said Foster, who scored his first Burnley goal on the 11th of March 2023 against Wigan Athletic.
It had taken Foster 11 matches in all competitions to find the back of the net for his new side.
“Being South Africa’s most expensive player, I try not to think about it too much, to be honest,” he added.
“I just want to play football and enjoy it, and yeah, happy to be in the UK. Hopefully, I can have a long and fruitful career there. And just continue working hard and try my best as possible to go as far as I can.”
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