Ben Old is one of New Zealand’s most exciting football exports. At just 23, he plays for AS Saint-Étienne in France’s Ligue 2 and recently earned a spot in the All Whites squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This article breaks down his net worth, salary, contract, and career earnings in full.
Ben Old’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Craig Old |
| Date of Birth | August 13, 2002 |
| Age | 23 |
| Place of Birth | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Height | 1.73 m (5’8″) |
| Position | Left Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | AS Saint-Étienne (Ligue 2) |
| Jersey Number | 11 |
| Turned Professional | 2021 |
| Contract Expiry | June 30, 2028 |
| Weekly Wage | €4,615 |
| Annual Salary | ~€240,000 (~$260,000 USD) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$500,000 USD |
| Player Agent | Kemari |
Early Life and Career
Benjamin Craig Old was born on August 13, 2002, in Auckland, New Zealand. Long before he laced up football boots, Ben Old was a golf prodigy.
He received his first golf club at the age of two and competed in his first international golf tournament at seven. His early travels took him to Las Vegas, Pinehurst, and San Diego to face other child prodigies from around the world.
The switch to football came when Old’s family relocated from Auckland to Wellington. He joined the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in 2018, trading the fairway for the football pitch.
He trained with the senior squad even before officially signing, making enough of an impression that the coaching staff brought him back into sessions once the team returned from Australia.
Old made his professional debut on May 22, 2021, coming off the bench in Wellington Phoenix’s 3–0 win over Western United in the A-League.
His very first touch was a nutmeg on his opponent — a statement moment that foreshadowed the confidence and flair he would go on to show throughout his career.
On the youth international front, Old was part of the New Zealand U-17 squad that won the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship and qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.
He featured in two matches at that tournament, including a start in the All Whites U-17 side’s 1–0 win over Canada.
Professional Career
Old developed steadily at Wellington Phoenix across four A-League seasons. A key breakthrough came on March 3, 2024, when he scored a brace against Adelaide United — a performance that drew attention from clubs across Europe, the Championship and League One in England, Denmark, the Netherlands, and MLS.
He chose AS Saint-Étienne, joining the historic French club on July 9, 2024. On August 17, 2024, Old made his Ligue 1 debut, starting in a 1–0 defeat to AS Monaco — becoming the first New Zealander ever to start a Ligue 1 fixture, as noted on his Transfermarkt profile.
By September 2024, he had overtaken Bill Tuiloma’s record of two Ligue 1 appearances to set a new benchmark for a New Zealander in that competition.
His debut season was disrupted by a serious knee injury in October 2024 — he ruptured both his medial collateral ligament and his meniscus. He missed more than five months of action but returned to play 13 Ligue 1 appearances in 2024–25.
Saint-Étienne were relegated at the end of that season, dropping back to Ligue 2. Despite the setback, Old publicly committed to the project, citing trust in the club’s ownership group, Kilmer Sports Ventures.
In the 2025–26 Ligue 2 campaign, Old bounced back with 30 league appearances, contributing one goal and two assists, per FBref. He also scored four goals and an assist in a Coupe de France rout of a lower-league side in November 2025.
On the international stage, he earned his senior debut for New Zealand on March 19, 2022, coming on as a substitute against Papua New Guinea.
He has gone on to earn 12 senior caps and score one international goal, and was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in May 2026.
Ben Old’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ben Old’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $500,000.
He built this through professional contracts with Wellington Phoenix in Australia’s A-League and, most significantly, his current deal with AS Saint-Étienne in France. At 23, Old is still early in what promises to be a lucrative European career, and his market value continues to rise.
Contract
Old signed with AS Saint-Étienne on July 9, 2024. His contract runs through June 30, 2028, with an option for a further year built into the agreement.
He was one of several international acquisitions made by the club following its takeover by Kilmer Sports Ventures, the North American conglomerate that also controls Toronto FC, the Toronto Raptors, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As confirmed on Transfermarkt, Old wears jersey number 11 and has his preferred foot listed as left.
Salary
According to FBref via Capology, Ben Old earns a weekly wage of €4,615 at Saint-Étienne. That translates to approximately €240,000 per year in gross salary, or roughly $260,000 USD annually.
For context, Saint-Étienne’s total estimated wage bill for 2025–26 is approximately €15,040,000 across the squad, with their highest-paid player earning significantly more than Old’s current rate.
His salary reflects his status as a promising but still-developing player in the second tier of French football.
A strong World Cup showing in 2026 could substantially change his market value and future contract terms.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2022–23 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2023–24 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2024–25 | AS Saint-Étienne | Ligue 1 | ~€240,000 (~$260,000 USD) |
| 2025–26 | AS Saint-Étienne | Ligue 2 | ~€240,000 (~$260,000 USD) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | — | — | — |
| 2023–24 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | AS Saint-Étienne | Ligue 1 | 13 | — | — |
| 2025–26 | AS Saint-Étienne | Ligue 2 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
| International | New Zealand | Senior | 12 | 1 | — |
FAQs
What is Ben Old’s net worth?
Ben Old’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000 USD. He has earned this through professional contracts at Wellington Phoenix and AS Saint-Étienne, where he earns around €240,000 per year.
How much does Ben Old earn per week?
He earns an estimated €4,615 per week at AS Saint-Étienne, according to data published by Capology and cited on FBref. That works out to roughly €240,000 gross per season.
What club does Ben Old currently play for?
He currently plays for AS Saint-Étienne in France’s Ligue 2. He joined the club in July 2024 on a contract that runs until June 2028, with an option for a further year.
Is Ben Old playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. New Zealand Football named him in the All Whites’ 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in May 2026. He has earned 12 senior international caps and scored one goal for his country.
What is Ben Old’s market value?
His estimated market value stands at €1.80 million, according to his Transfermarkt profile as of the most recent update. That figure is expected to grow if he performs well at the World Cup.
