Louis Saha forged a brilliant Premier League career spanning more than ten years, but the majority of the Frenchman's billion-pound wealth has been generated since hanging up his boots. Saha initially landed in England on loan with Newcastle United in 1999 and secured a permanent move when joining Fulham from Metz 12 months later.
He departed Craven Cottage for Old Trafford in 2004, before switching from Manchester United to Everton in 2008. Spells with Tottenham and Sunderland followed before a final campaign at Lazio, yet it has been through his sports enterprise, AxisStars, that he has built considerable riches. The company, which caters to "professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners," has witnessed Saha's net worth rocket to £4.3billion. Express Sport examines Saha's journey, from a crucial transfer demand delivered during his stint in west London to his billionaire-creating business enterprise.
Following just 11 appearances for Newcastle during the 1998/99 Premier League campaign, Saha was acquired by then-second-tier outfit Fulham in 2000 for a modest £2.1m, yet quickly made that fee appear a bargain.
The Cottagers secured promotion to the top flight that season, partly due to Saha's 27 league strikes, which earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year. In the Premier League, he maintained his scoring form, netting eight, five, and 13 league goals across three seasons for the London club.
However, the situation took a sour turn when Saha expressed his desire to join Manchester United, who had already been turned down twice in their attempts to sign him in January 2004. In an attempt to force a move, the then-25-year-old issued a stark ultimatum and referred to Fulham as "not honest."
"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."
This unpleasant episode was swiftly resolved when Saha secured a £12.8m transfer to Old Trafford less than a fortnight later, taking over the No. 9 shirt last worn 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."
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, Saha found playing time hard to come by in Manchester.
Saha netted 42 times in 124 outings for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2008, before the Toffees snapped him up on a 'pay-as-you-play' contract.
Injuries hampered his time at Goodison Park, though he still produced moments of brilliance, including finding the net in seven straight matches during the 2009/2010 campaign.
Spurs secured his services on a free transfer in January 2012, with the striker bagging three goals before his release 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 view entirely. Saha has remarkably reached billionaire status as chief executive of the firm he established alongside Kate Hamer, a former marketing professional, which reportedly connects 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."