Former Hearts defender Aaron Hickey is earning almost £8000 each week at Bologna, figures have revealed.
The salaries for each Serie A player are published in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, with Cristiano Ronaldo the highest-earner in the division. The Juventus star takes home €31million net each season.
Paulo Dybala takes home €7.3million and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan is on €7million each year.
While Hickey is one of his club's lower earners, his new financial package appears to represent a significant boost to his pay packet – and he'll take home around €430,000 per campaign.
The 18-year-old has made an impressive start to life in Italy, and seems to be settling in well to his new surroundings at Bologna. He earned praise from supporters and media for his debut showing against Parma.
Boss Sinisa Mihajlovic praised Hickey's performance after the game, but said he still has some way to go before being truly ready.
"He did well but he's not ready yet,” he warned.
"He doesn't speak Italian yet and he has to improve a few things but he's a lad with quality and personality who did well today.
"Right up to the end I wasn't sure whether to play him, because I had other players who have already started in that role, but I like to take risks."
