From Brisbane backyards to Belgian captaincy to the bright lights of MLS, Aiden O’Neill has carved out a professional career spanning three continents.
This article breaks down his net worth, current NYCFC salary, contract length, and everything that has shaped his financial profile.
Aiden O’Neill’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aiden Connor O’Neill |
| Date of Birth | July 4, 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Nationality | Australian / Northern Irish |
| Place of Birth | Brisbane, Australia |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 79 kg (172 lbs) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | New York City FC (MLS) |
| Turned Professional | 2016 (Burnley FC) |
| International Team | Australia (Socceroos) |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Salary | ~$600,000 gross per year |
| Contract Expires | December 31, 2028 |
Early Life and Career
Aiden O’Neill was born on July 4, 1998, in Brisbane, Queensland. He grew up attending Nudgee Junior College before moving to Brisbane Boys’ College.
Football was central to his childhood from the start, playing local youth football with Kenmore FC — now known as UQFC — before joining Brisbane Athletic between 2008 and 2012.
At 14, his life changed direction. His parents relocated to England for work, and O’Neill made the move with them.
Rather than settle for grassroots football, he joined the youth academy at Burnley Football Club in 2014, training alongside peers who would go on to compete at the highest levels of the English game.
His time at Burnley’s academy gave him a structured education in defensive midfield play — pressing triggers, positional discipline, and reading the game from deep.
By 2016, he had progressed through the ranks to earn a professional contract, making him one of the few Australian teenagers competing inside the English Football League system at the time.
His dual nationality — Australian and Northern Irish — gave him flexibility on the international stage, though he would eventually commit firmly to the Socceroos.
Professional Career
O’Neill made his senior debut for Burnley in 2016, featuring in the Premier League and FA Cup as the Clarets competed in England’s top division.
Seeking regular playing time, he went on back-to-back loan spells — first to Oldham Athletic in January 2017, where he made 15 appearances, and then to Fleetwood Town from August 2017, where he logged 27 appearances and scored his first professional goal against Blackburn Rovers.
He returned to Australia in August 2018 on loan to Central Coast Mariners, followed by a further loan stint with Brisbane Roar. These spells reconnected him with Australian football and laid the groundwork for his A-League career.
In September 2020, O’Neill signed a three-year deal with Melbourne City FC, the City Football Group affiliate in Australia.
He developed into a reliable central figure at the club, becoming a key starter during the 2022–23 season and producing a memorable brace — including a goal in one of Australian football’s most unusual matches — in the abandoned and later resumed Melbourne Derby.
His performances earned him a move to Europe’s Belgian Pro League with Standard Liège in 2023, where he rose to become club captain.
He captained the Belgian side before New York City FC signed him in April 2025 on a contract running through December 2028.
On the international stage, O’Neill debuted for the Socceroos against Ecuador in March 2023 and quickly became a regular selection.
He featured prominently in Australia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, starting crucial matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia under head coach Tony Popovic.
Aiden O’Neill’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Aiden O’Neill’s has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through professional soccer contracts across Australia, Europe, and the United States — progressing from A-League wages to a competitive MLS deal at New York City FC, with additional earnings during his time as a starter and later captain at Standard Liège in Belgium.
Contract
O’Neill signed with New York City FC in April 2025, joining from Standard Liège. His contract runs through December 31, 2028, giving the club — and O’Neill — a three-season commitment.
As part of the deal structure, Standard Liège can earn up to €500,000 in performance-based bonuses from NYCFC, according to Transfermarkt’s transfer profile for O’Neill.
The move reunited him with the City Football Group network, having previously played for the group’s Melbourne City affiliate.
Salary
According to Capology’s salary database, Aiden O’Neill earns an estimated gross fixed salary of $600,000 for the 2026 MLS season, equating to approximately $11,538 per week, excluding bonuses.
This places him solidly in the mid-tier of MLS earners — well above the league minimum but far from the league’s designated player salaries commanded by stars like Lionel Messi. His earnings reflect his status as an experienced international midfielder rather than a marquee signing.
His Belgian Pro League salary at Standard Liège has not been publicly disclosed. Based on typical wages in the Belgian top flight for a key midfielder and eventual captain, estimates generally fall in the range of €200,000–€350,000 per year.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–2020 | Burnley FC (+ loans) | N/A |
| 2020–2023 | Melbourne City FC | N/A |
| 2023–2025 | Standard Liège | N/A |
| 2025 | New York City FC | ~$540,000 (pro-rated) |
| 2026 | New York City FC | ~$600,000 |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley FC | 2016–2020 | Limited PL/cup appearances | — | — |
| Oldham Athletic (loan) | 2017 | 15 | 0 | — |
| Fleetwood Town (loan) | 2017–2018 | 27 | 1 | — |
| Central Coast Mariners (loan) | 2018–2019 | — | — | — |
| Brisbane Roar (loan) | 2019–2020 | — | — | — |
| Melbourne City FC | 2020–2023 | — | Multiple | — |
| Standard Liège | 2023–2025 | — | — | — |
| New York City FC | 2025– | 6+ (as of mid-2025) | — | — |
| Australia (senior) | 2023– | 30 | 0 | **— |
FAQs
What is Aiden O’Neill’s net worth?
Aiden O’Neill’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. He accumulated this through professional contracts in Australia, Belgium, and MLS, with no verified figure published by major financial sources.
How much does Aiden O’Neill earn at New York City FC?
According to Capology, O’Neill earns an estimated gross fixed salary of $600,000 for the 2026 MLS season — around $11,538 per week, excluding performance bonuses.
When did Aiden O’Neill join New York City FC?
O’Neill joined New York City FC in April 2025, signing a contract through December 31, 2028. He transferred from Standard Liège in Belgium, where he had served as club captain.
How many caps does Aiden O’Neill have for Australia?
O’Neill has earned 30 senior caps for the Socceroos since his debut against Ecuador in March 2023. He played a key role in Australia’s successful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
What clubs has Aiden O’Neill played for professionally?
O’Neill’s senior career includes Burnley, Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town, Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City, Standard Liège, and New York City FC — spanning England, Australia, Belgium, and the United States.
