Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane becomes Europe's highest-paid footballer
Harry Kane has committed his future to Bayern Munich until 2029, with his new contract reportedly making him Europe’s highest-paid footballer. The extension comes just a week after the England captain won the Ballon d’Or, adding another milestone to an extraordinary period in his career.
Bayern confirmed on Thursday that Kane had signed a new deal running until June 30, 2029. The 33-year-old joined the German champions from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 and has since scored 156 goals in 161 appearances, becoming an indispensable part of Vincent Kompany’s side.
According to The Athletic, the agreement is the most lucrative contract in Bayern’s history. Sources familiar with the deal told the publication that Kane is now the highest-paid player in Europe by salary, although some rivals could earn more when performance-related bonuses are included.
“I feel right at home at FC Bayern. I love the club, the fans and the city of Munich. We have a fantastic team and, in Vincent Kompany, a fantastic manager,” Kane said.
“It makes me very proud to be part of this club. My whole family is very happy here. I was keen to stay. I’m now looking forward to the future and I want to win many more titles with this great club.”
The extension reflects how much Kane’s standing has grown since his move to Germany. Initially expected to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski, he has gone on to establish himself as the focal point of Bayern’s attack, contributing not just goals but also creativity and link-up play.
WHO WERE EUROPE’S HIGHEST EARNERS?
Before Kane’s new agreement, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were among Europe’s biggest earners. Capology’s estimated 2026-27 fixed gross salary figures placed them ahead of Kane’s previous Bayern wages.
The estimated weekly salaries across Europe’s top five leagues were:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 525,000 pounds per week.
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – 513,000 pounds per week.
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – 513,000 pounds per week.
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, previous deal) – approximately 411,000 pounds per week.
These are estimated fixed wages before bonuses and image rights, not confirmed contract figures. The Athletic’s assessment of Kane’s new guaranteed salary uses information from sources familiar with his agreement, so the two sets of figures should not be directly compared without accounting for their different methodologies.
BALLON D’OR AND WORLD CUP SUCCESS
Kane’s contract extension follows the finest individual season of his career. His 73 goals for Bayern and England during the 2025-26 campaign helped him become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or. He also became the first Bundesliga player to receive the award since Matthias Sammer in 1996.
The England captain also led his country to third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their best finish since winning the tournament in 1966. Having finally added major team honours to his prolific individual record, Kane has now secured his future in Munich as he looks to add more silverware to his collection.
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