Achraf Hakimi’s reported move to Juventus in 2027 has put Serie A visa sponsorship salary discussions at the center of African football and migration conversations. For African defenders and football professionals looking to work in Italy, Hakimi’s career path offers a real blueprint. This article breaks down the visa process, salary ranges, and steps you can take to pursue a sponsored role in Serie A or Italian professional sports.
Why Serie A Matters for African Professionals in 2027
Serie A clubs now operate under Italy’s updated Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree), which sets annual quotas for non-EU workers. In 2027, Italy has allocated over 165,000 work visas for skilled workers, including sports professionals and technical staff. African players and support staff can qualify under the sports worker visa category, provided a club acts as your employer sponsored visa holder.
Clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan regularly recruit African talent. They handle the full visa sponsorship jobs process, meaning the club applies on your behalf, covers legal documentation, and often provides a jobs with relocation package that includes housing assistance and travel costs.
Salary Ranges for African Defenders in Serie A 2027
Salaries in Serie A vary based on squad tier and contract length. Here is what you can expect in 2027:
- Top-tier clubs (Juventus, Inter, Milan): First-team defenders earn between €2.5 million and €8 million per year gross.
- Mid-table clubs (Fiorentina, Lazio, Atalanta): Salaries range from €600,000 to €2 million per year.
- Promoted or lower Serie A clubs: Entry-level contracts start at €120,000 per year, with room for performance bonuses.
- Support staff and coaching roles: Technical directors and fitness coaches earn €45,000 to €120,000 per year.
Salary Negotiation Tips for African Players
When you negotiate your contract, focus on these points:
- Request a full jobs with relocation package that covers flight, temporary housing, and school fees if you have children.
- Ask for a clause covering visa renewal costs. Italian sports visas must be renewed annually, and fees can reach €300 per application.
- Compare your market value using the CIES Football Observatory database, which publishes transfer value reports every quarter.
- Hire a licensed immigration lawyer or immigration attorney who specializes in Italian sports law before you sign anything.
How the Italian Sports Visa Process Works in 2027
Italy’s sports worker visa falls under the Visto per Lavoro Sportivo category. Your club submits your application to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The process takes 60 to 90 days from submission to approval. You will need:
- A signed employment contract with an Serie A club registered with the FIGC (Italian Football Federation).
- Proof of professional status from your home country football federation.
- A clean criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated into Italian.
- Health insurance coverage valid in Italy for the full contract period.
You can find the official visa requirements on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal.
Pathway to Permanent Residency Through Work
If you work legally in Italy for five continuous years, you can apply for permanent residency through work under EU long-term resident status. After ten years, you can apply for Italian citizenship. This makes Serie A contracts a real long-term immigration strategy, not just a football opportunity. Players who have moved between clubs like Hakimi, from PSG to Juventus, maintain residency continuity as long as they stay legally employed in Italy.
Comparing Other High Paying Jobs Abroad for African Professionals
If football is not your route, consider these alternatives that offer employer sponsored visa options in 2027:
- Jobs in Germany with visa: Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act allows African engineers and IT professionals to apply directly. Average salaries range from €45,000 to €85,000 per year.
- Jobs in Canada for foreigners: Canada’s Express Entry system processed over 110,000 applications in 2026. Healthcare and tech workers are in high demand.
- Green card sponsorship employer in the USA: Tech and healthcare companies sponsor African professionals under EB-2 and EB-3 categories. Processing times in 2027 average 18 to 24 months.
- Citizenship by investment and investor visa: Portugal and Malta still offer residency through investment programs starting at €250,000 in approved real estate or funds.
For skilled worker visa application guides across Europe, the EU Blue Card portal provides country-by-country eligibility requirements and processing timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can African footballers apply for an Italian sports visa without an agent?
Yes, you can apply without an agent, but the club must still act as your sponsor. An agent helps negotiate contract terms and coordinates with the club’s legal team, but the visa application itself is submitted by the club to the Italian authorities. If you do not have an agent, hire an immigration attorney familiar with FIGC regulations to protect your interests.
What is the minimum salary required for a skilled worker visa application in Italy?
For sports professionals in 2027, there is no fixed minimum salary under the sports visa category. However, for general skilled worker visa application routes, Italy requires a gross annual income of at least €26,000. Sports contracts almost always exceed this threshold even at the lowest Serie A level.
Does working in Serie A count toward Italian permanent residency?
Yes. Legal employment under a valid sports work permit counts toward the five-year continuous residence requirement for EU long-term resident status. You must maintain legal residence throughout and not leave Italy for more than six consecutive months in any given year. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency through work at your local Prefettura office.
Apply through the official portal or speak with a licensed immigration consultant to get started. Hakimi’s Juventus move shows that African players can build careers and long-term residency in Europe through strategic contract choices and the right legal support.
Disclaimer: Requirements and deadlines change. Always verify details on official government or employer websites before applying.