Former PSL footballer Michael Morton reveals career salaries from R20,000 to R80,000 a month

Former Premier Soccer League midfielder Michael Morton has revealed the monthly salaries he earned during his 17-year career, saying his income rose from R20,000 as a teenager to a peak of R80,000.

The 37-year-old, who described himself as an “average PSL player” after retiring, shared details of every major contract he signed in a video posted on his Instagram account, Mike Morton Talks Football.

Morton’s disclosure offers a rare insight into what footballers in South Africa’s top flight can earn. He said no other former or current player had previously made such private financial information public on this scale, adding that the figures “won’t be found anywhere else”.

He has developed a substantial audience since ending his playing career, with 193,000 followers on Instagram and one million on Facebook, where he posts regularly.

Reflecting on one of the early contracts he signed, Morton said: “Now this was a phenomenal deal for a 19-year-old. That money really set me up nicelyallowed me to buy my first apartment, and I bought my first used car: Peugeot 206, 60,000 Rand cash. Felt like a king.”

Morton began detailing how his earnings changed as his career progressed, including a move from Maritzburg United to SuperSport United.

“Now this was the first big jump… went from Maritzburg United, signed a pre-contract with SuperSport United, jumped from the 30s into the 60s. That was a substantial jump for me,” said Morton.

His highest-paid period followed, when his monthly salary increased from R60,000 to R80,000.

“This was actually my most lucrative contract of my careerwent from 60s into the 80s. Around this time, my wife and I actually started a successful ice cream business as well… probably the best wealth-building period for the Mortons,” said Morton.

The midfielder later experienced a significant reduction in income, dropping from his career-best salary to R30,000 a month.

“I went from the 80s, a 67% pay cut back down to 30,000 Rand a month. That was a bit of a shock going from the highest I was earning in my career back to square one, basically,” said Morton.

A contract clause at Cape Town Spurs then helped him restore his earnings after the club secured promotion.

“Probably the smartest move of my career… when I joined Cape Town Spurs on 30,000 Rand, we agreed that a promotion clause would allow my contract to double… managed to secure promotion, doubled up from 30 to 60,” said Morton.

Morton previously represented AmaZulu, including during the 2018 Absa Premiership season. He was pictured playing for the club against Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium on 28 April 2018.

The image was credited to Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.