Louis Saha has not only been a successful Premier League player with the likes of Manchester United, Fulham, Everton and Tottenham, but has also built up a multi-billion-pound fortune
Louis Saha speaking to an audience
Ex-Manchester United ace Louis Saha has become a multi-billionaire since retiring from football
(Image: Getty)
Louis Saha enjoyed a remarkable Premier League career spanning more than 10 years, but the majority of the Frenchman's billion-pound wealth has been generated in retirement.
Saha initially moved to England on a temporary deal with Newcastle United in 1999 before making his switch permanent when joining Fulham from Metz 12 months later. He departed Craven Cottage for Old Trafford in 2004, subsequently leaving Manchester United for Everton in 2008.
Spells with Tottenham and Sunderland followed before a final campaign at Lazio, yet it has been through his sports company, AxisStars, that he has accumulated substantial riches. The business, which caters to "professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners," has witnessed Saha's net worth rocket to £4.3billion.
Here, we take a closer look at Saha's journey, from a crucial transfer demand issued during his period in west London to his multi-billion-pound business enterprise.
Following just 11 appearances for Newcastle during the 1998/99 Premier League campaign, Saha was acquired by second-tier side Fulham in 2000 for £2.1m, though quickly proved that fee to be a bargain.
The Cottagers secured promotion to the top flight that term, aided in part by Saha's 27 league strikes, which earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year. In the Premier League, he maintained his goalscoring form, netting eight, five, and 13 league goals across three seasons for the London club.
However, the situation quickly soured when the Frenchman expressed his desire to join the Red Devils, who had already been rebuffed twice in their attempts to sign him in January 2004. In an attempt to expedite the move, the then-25-year-old issued a stark ultimatum.
Louis Saha playing for Fulham
Saha starred up front for Fulham(Image: Getty)
"The club say they would rather sell me in six months' time, but I am fed up now," Saha declared back in 2004. "Either I leave now, or I am staying at Fulham until the end of my contract, which finishes in 2006. If Fulham love me that much, they are going to have to cope with me until the end, and then I will leave them for zero euros."
He went on to add: "Fulham are not honest. The club's managers keep changing their opinion. One day they say yes to a transfer and the next day they say no. They think I am an object. I, however, feel that the road which leads to Old Trafford is about to open."
This unpleasant episode was indeed swiftly resolved when Saha secured a £12.8m transfer less than a fortnight later, inheriting the No. 9 shirt last donned by Andy Cole. "I am absolutely delighted, it's a dream come true," Saha expressed after signing.
"I would like to thank my family and all the people who have helped me through this. I am just happy everything turned out. To leave a great atmosphere like Fulham has been difficult, but I am glad to be joining one of the best clubs in the world."
Louis Saha and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Saha in January 2004(Image: Getty)
However, with the arrival of Wayne Rooney and the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Forlan, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy in United's attacking line-up, playing time was limited for Saha in Manchester.
Saha netted 42 times in 124 outings for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2008, before Everton secured his services on a 'pay-as-you-play' arrangement.
Injury problems hampered his time at Goodison Park, though he still managed to produce moments of brilliance, including finding the net in seven straight matches during the 2009/2010 campaign.
Tottenham picked him up on a free transfer in January 2012, where he managed three strikes before his contract expired at the season's end. Saha then endured just half a campaign with Sunderland before hanging up his boots following a short stint in Italy with Lazio.
However, he hasn't faded from public view. Saha has remarkably reached billionaire status as chief executive of the firm he established alongside Kate Hamer, a former marketing professional, which reportedly maintains connections with over 500 ex-athletes.
The AxisStars website features an image of Saha with Hamer, accompanied by text stating: "Since hanging up his boots, Louis has moved into the world of business where he has used his experience to develop propositions to support athletes and other people in the public eye, in their careers."