Nile Ranger’s Net Worth

He was once tipped to be a star striker at one of England’s biggest football clubs. Instead, he opted for the wrong path serving time in prison and is currently plying his trade in the lower league. How did all of this impact his wealth? Here we find out as we take a look at Nile Ranger’s net worth.

So, what is Nile Ranger’s net worth?

As of 2021, Nile Ranger’s net worth stands at just over £1m. For the average Joe, that’s a pretty decent figure. It’s only when you consider where he could have been that you ask how much wealth he’s missed out on.

Nile Ranger’s early life and career

Ranger was born on 11th April 1991 in the Wood Green area of London. He grew up in the same area attending Alexandra Park School but education took a back seat when Crystal Palace, who aren’t unfamiliar with top strikers having helped launch the career of Ian Wright amongst others, offered him his first step towards professional football as a youngster. From there, aged around 15, he joined the Protec Football Development School; very quickly he was snatched out of that programme though as he headed to the South Coast to join the Southampton academy; he was earning £95 per week. Things looked to be going places in spite of his constant flirtation with trouble.

Then his first major brush with the law occurred. Ranger hadn’t long been with the Saints (ironic nickname alert) when he was sentenced to three months in ‘juve’. The reason? Involvement in an armed robbery. Southampton initially stood by him but, eventually with Ranger aged 17, took the view that he was a bad egg and bombed him out of St Mary’s. Swindon Town, who he’d later represent, showed an interest in the shape of a £300 per week contract offer but an approach from Newcastle United left Ranger with an easy choice – not least because it came with a £750 per week wage and £20k signing on bonus.

Youth star, big money and a bad attitude

Ranger seemed to park his bad boy persona when first rocking up at St James’ Park; the goals in the youth and reserve leagues were flowing and plaudits were coming his way at warp speed. In fact, then boss Alan Shearer was so impressed with Ranger that a three and a half year contract extension was tabled; the young attacker would be raking in £3,500 per week with a bonus payable even for simply sitting in the bench.

Despite the new deal, Ranger didn’t make his first team bow until the season after; Newcastle were now in the Championship. The young striker, who often operated out wide, wasn’t exactly prolific in front of goal but his talent was there for all to see. He made 25 appearances in the Magpies 2009/10 promotion campaign and was rewarded on two levels; a five-and-a-half year contract worth an approximate £3.6m and a £96k promotion bonus.

Ranger remained in the first team picture during the first campaign back in the Premier League but those old behavioural issues started to rear their head. The first warning sign came as that aforementioned £96k bonus disappeared in one big hit; Ranger splashed the lot on a Range Rover despite the advise of then manager Chris Hughton and one of Australia’s best footballers of all time in Mark Viduka.

The slippery slope away from the top

Unfortunately for Ranger – and all Newcastle fans – the Range Rover was just the beginning of the end. It has since come to light that his former Toon teammates bailed him out of £70k worth of gambling debts after a period of Ranger haemorrhaging £4K per day in casinos. Further indiscretions followed including posing with firearms, assaults, criminal damage, rape and more; it’s important to note that Ranger wasn’t found guilty of all of these but nonetheless it is not the reputation a football club wants associated with them. A couple of loan spells for Ranger before he was sent packing from Newcastle.

Eventually, Ranger found a permanent home in the shape of Swindon in League One; the wages in question were £4k per week. He only spent one year with the club; despite hitting 10 goals in all competitions off field issues continued to run wild. It didn’t stop Championship Blackpool taking a gamble on him though; the gamble did not pay off. The Tangerines suffered relegation with Ranger scoring just two goals in 14 appearances. During the League One campaign, Ranger didn’t play at all with the player and club embroiled in a contractual war over his £150 per week wages; it was some drop off from his Swindon wage and certainly his Newcastle salary.

With red flags waving everywhere, Ranger was surprisingly picked up he fellow League One club Southend. The Shrimpers paid him £3k per week; just a matter of weeks later Ranger was charged with fraud and, after going through the legal process, was sentenced to eight months in prison. Good behaviour saw him released after less than three months. Southend stood by their man but the player continued to take the Michael; failure to turn up to training and regular lateness saw them call time on his career.

A glimmer of hope quickly extinguished

Professional football had finally had enough of Ranger; his ability was clear but his attitude and mentality was a blatant problem. Ranger turned to Sunday League football and five-a-side; he remained at that level for the best part of three years before joining Spalding. His old club, Southend, offered him a final chance in early 2021 with a month rolling contract but, somewhat unsurprisingly, it ended badly with Southend ending all ties with Ranger after he failed to attend physio appointments for an injury.

So, there you have it a look at Nile Ranger’s net worth and career. The £1m he boasts is a lot of money to some but for his talent and opportunities it could and should be so much more.