French Ligue 1 side Nice officially announced the signing of Ghanaian international Salis Abdul Samed from Lens last week, reuniting the midfielder with his former head coach Franck Haise.
Lens accepted a deal of €2.5 million plus a percentage of any future resale from Nice for the services of the Ghana star, who is expected to provide the much-needed balance to the team.
With several European matches under his belt, Salis Abdul Samed also provides European experience as Nice look to improve on last season’s European disappointment in this season’s UEFA Europa League.
The 25-year-old has agreed a three-year-deal at the French outfit and will earn just less than the €120,000 gross monthly salary he earned at Lens. This brings the total earnings for the midfielder to just under €4.32 million, over the full length of his contract.
The move represents a fresh start for Salis Abdul Samed, who leaves Lens just three years after joining the club. He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Sunderland, although his minutes were limited due to injuries.
Transfer fee and contract details
Nice paid a transfer fee of €2.5 million and agreed to also pay a percentage on the next transfer to Lens, to beat other suitors to the services of the Ghanaian midfielder.
Salis Abdul Samed preferred to join Nice ahead of the likes of CSKA Moscow, Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor, who had also shown interest in acquiring his services.
The 25-year-old’s contract is a three-year-deal, potentially keeping him at the Ligue 1 club until 2028.
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Salary breakdown
Per Footy-Africa‘s exclusive information, Salis Abdul Samed is expected to earn below the €120,000 gross monthly salary he earned at his former club, which amounts to under €1.44 million annually and below €4.32 million over the course of his contract.
Including his transfer fees and the percentage to be paid on his next transfer should he leave the club, Nice’s total investment in the Ghana star could exceed €6.8 million.
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From Northern France to Southeastern France
Salis Abdul Samed joined Lens in 2022 after an impressive spell at Clermont Foot, including helping the club secure promotion to the French top-flight in 2020.
At Lens, he helped the club to a second-placed finish in the 2022/23 season, ending the season just a point behind champions PSG and a return to the UEFA Champions League after a 20-year absence.