Mark McGuinness' wages at Luton Town compared to what he earned at Cardiff City | OneFootball

Football League World compares Mark McGuinness' estimated wages compared to his Cardiff City contract

Mark McGuinness left Cardiff City back in the summer to join Championship rivals Luton Town in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League.

Following intense speculation surrounding his future in the Welsh capital, McGuinness finally sought the new challenge he had seemingly been looking for by completing a switch to Kenilworth Road.

McGuinness spent three seasons with Cardiff after being bought from Arsenal in the summer of 2021 by Mick McCarthy, who declared at the time that the central defender would go on to be worth "a hell of a lot of money". McCarthy's reign at Cardiff ended in disaster, but his punchy admission on McGuinness eventually turned out to be true.

The transfer fee involved remains formally undisclosed - as does McGuinness' contract length at Luton - and WalesOnline reported that the deal is "some way short" of the £10 million figure that Cardiff were determined to hold out for. However, the Bluebirds will reportedly see the deal eventually rise to eight figures if various add-on criteria are met.

After 12 matches of the new Championship campaign, it would be a fair assessment to say that the deal hasn't exactly gone to plan for McGuinness and his new side, who sit third from bottom with a miserable defensive record.

Cardiff, meanwhile, arguably haven't even missed the 23-year-old all that much. McGuinness was outstanding during his third and final season with the club in particular, but the additions of Jesper Daland and Callum Chambers have filled his void for the Bluebirds, who have conceded fewer goals than Luton despite losing six of their opening seven matches.

Here, though, Football League World dives into the financial aspects of the deal and takes a look at just how much McGuinness is earning at Luton compared to his former contract at Cardiff.

Mark McGuinness' contract at Cardiff City

According to Capology estimates, McGuiness was earning weekly pay packet of £10,000 while at Cardiff.

An estimated annual salary of £590,000 placed him among the lower earners at Cardiff during the 2023/24 season, with only seven players permanently contracted to the club earning less.

McGuinness, who was an ever-present at the heart of defence for two of his three seasons at Cardiff, had only signed a new four-year deal with the club in the previous summer.

That meant Luton had to stump up the cash in order to land his signature and offer an increase on his earnings in south Wales.

Mark McGuinness' contract at Luton Town

As you would expect, the Irishman is estimated to be on a more financially rewarding deal at Luton, who are in receipt of parachute payments after being relegated from the Premier League.

Their financial muscle is greater than Cardiff's right now and, as such, they're in a position where they can afford to spend more money on wages, having been shrewd and sensible with their spending in the top-flight.

According to Capology estimates, McGuinness' weekly earnings have been doubled to £20,000 per week, which will see him earn more than £1 million before tax.

McGuinness' move to Luton was likely fuelled by an ambition to ply his trade in the Premier League, with the Hatters having been primed for promotion before the start of the season. However, the opportunity to earn considerably more money will have surely been a factor too - and who can blame him?