Matt Ritchie is retained at Free Agent until June 2026. The 36-year-old defender earns £44,000 per week.
Verified August 25, 2026
Matt Ritchie
Current Club: Free Agent
🌍 English/Scottish
💰 Weekly Wage: £44,000/week
📅 Contract: Expires June 30, 2026
Contract and Personal Information
Matt Ritchie earns 14.2% below the average defender wage of £51,272/week tracked across the database. See position pay gap →
About
Matt Ritchie is an English-born Scotland international who lined up as a defender and wide player and is currently a free agent. Born in Gosport in 1989, he came through Portsmouth’s academy before making his name at Swindon Town, then joined Bournemouth in January 2013 and helped fire the Cherries to the Premier League as Championship winners in 2015. A reported £12 million move took him to Newcastle United in 2016, where he became a fan favourite, driving their 2016-17 promotion and racking up more than 200 appearances and around 25 goals across his Tyneside spell. Capped 16 times by Scotland, the energetic, set-piece-capable Ritchie later returned to Portsmouth before a stint at Reading. Now 36, he is tied to a contract running until June 2026 and is reported to earn in the region of £44,000 per week.
Other Defenders in Free Agent
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Matt Ritchie's contract expire?
Matt Ritchie's current contract expires on June 30, 2026.
How much does Matt Ritchie earn per week?
Matt Ritchie earns approximately £44,000 per week.
Who does Matt Ritchie play for?
Matt Ritchie currently plays for Free Agent.
What position does Matt Ritchie play?
Matt Ritchie plays as a defender.
How old is Matt Ritchie?
Matt Ritchie is 36 years old.
What is Matt Ritchie's annual salary?
Annualised, Matt Ritchie's basic salary is approximately £2,288,000 per year (gross weekly wage of £44,000 multiplied across the 52-week contract year, excluding bonuses, image rights or signing-on fees).
When can Matt Ritchie sign a pre-contract with another club?
Under FIFA rules Matt Ritchie can sign a pre-contract with an overseas club from December 30, 2025, six months before the current deal expires on June 30, 2026.
How many months are left on Matt Ritchie's contract?
Matt Ritchie has approximately 0 months left on the current deal, with expiry due on June 30, 2026. Selling clubs usually negotiate renewal or sale in the prior summer window.
How does Matt Ritchie's wage compare to other defenders?
Matt Ritchie earns roughly 86% of the position average — the average defender in our database earns £51,272 per week, so Matt Ritchie is paid 86% of the position average.
When was Matt Ritchie born?
Matt Ritchie was born on September 10, 1989, making the player 36 years old as of today.