Ben Waine has gone from Wellington’s youngest goalscorer to a FIFA World Cup striker in under a decade.
This article covers his net worth, contract details, salary history, and what he has earned across his career.
Ben Waine’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Peter Waine |
| Date of Birth | 11 June 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | New Zealand / England (dual citizen) |
| Place of Birth | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Current Club | Port Vale FC |
| Turned Professional | 2018 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $500,000 |
| International Caps / Goals | 30 caps / 9 goals (New Zealand) |
| @_waineo |
Early Life and Career
Benjamin Peter Waine was born on 11 June 2001 in Wellington, New Zealand.
He grew up in a household rooted in English football — both of his parents are from England, and his mother’s side of the family are proud Geordies, which is why he supports Newcastle United.
He attended Hutt International Boys’ School in Upper Hutt, where he served as Junior school captain in 2019.
Waine joined the Wellington Phoenix Academy at the age of 14, showing early promise as a pacey, goal-hungry forward.
He progressed quickly through the youth ranks and was registered with the Wellington Phoenix Reserves for the 2017–18 New Zealand Football Championship season.
Playing in the Reserves, he became the team’s top scorer with eight goals, catching the eye of the senior coaching staff.
His breakthrough came sooner than anyone expected. On 7 August 2018, at just 17 years and 57 days old, Waine made his senior debut for Wellington Phoenix in an FFA Cup loss to Bentleigh Greens.
That appearance made him the youngest player in the club’s history — a record that still stands.
He then represented New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, further establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Oceanian football.
Professional Career
Waine made his A-League league debut on 30 March 2019, coming off the bench in a 4–1 win over Newcastle Jets.
He scored his first professional goal on 3 November 2019, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Wellington Phoenix history at 18 years and 145 days.
In June 2019, he signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix — initially a scholarship arrangement that was upgraded to full-time.
He went from strength to strength in the 2020–21 season, becoming the youngest Phoenix player to score five A-League goals in a single campaign and receiving a nomination for A-League Young Footballer of the Year.
He rejected an approach from Coventry City to sign a new three-year deal with Wellington, committing to the club that had developed him.
By the time he departed in late 2022, he had scored 17 goals in 73 A-League appearances and earned the nickname “Waine Train” from Nix supporters.
On 30 December 2022, Plymouth Argyle signed Waine for an undisclosed six-figure fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the transfer completing on 1 January 2023.
He contributed 10 appearances and one goal as Plymouth won the 2022–23 EFL League One title, earning promotion to the Championship.
After a season-long loan spell at Mansfield Town in 2024–25 — where he made 29 appearances and scored three goals — Plymouth opted not to extend his contract.
On 30 June 2025, Waine signed a two-year deal with Port Vale FC, newly promoted to League One.
He had a standout FA Cup campaign, scoring an extra-time winner against Bristol City in the fourth round on 3 March 2026, then netting the only goal against Premier League side Sunderland in the fifth round five days later — a strike he celebrated in Alan Shearer’s famous style, which later won him the club’s Goal of the Season award.
He finished the 2025–26 season as Port Vale’s joint top scorer with eight goals.
On the international stage, Waine made his senior debut for the New Zealand All Whites on 18 March 2022, scoring in a World Cup qualification match against Papua New Guinea.
He scored four goals at the 2024 OFC Nations Cup, helping New Zealand win the tournament.
Head coach Darren Bazeley named him in New Zealand’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where the All Whites compete in Group G against Iran, Belgium, and Egypt.
Ben Waine’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ben Waine’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $500,000.
He built this wealth through professional contracts in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix and subsequently in English football with Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town on loan, and Port Vale. At just 24 years old and with his first FIFA World Cup now underway, his earning potential is rising significantly.
Contract
Waine joined Port Vale on a two-year contract on 30 June 2025. His deal runs until 30 June 2027.
The contract was signed after Plymouth Argyle opted not to exercise a 12-month extension clause on his previous agreement.
According to Transfermarkt, his current market value sits at €500,000. No buyout clause or guaranteed extension information has been made public.
Salary
Waine’s confirmed A-League salary with Wellington Phoenix stood at $85,500 per year in base pay during the 2021–22 season, with a weekly wage of approximately $1,500. His move to England in January 2023 represented a significant step up financially.
Capology’s published data for Port Vale shows the club’s estimated total gross wage bill for 2025–26 at approximately £4.47 million per season. Waine’s individual salary at Port Vale has not been disclosed publicly.
Based on his profile, market value, and comparable League One earners, his annual salary at Port Vale is estimated to be in the range of £1,500–£2,500 per week.
His earnings at Plymouth Argyle during their Championship campaign would have been higher, as Championship clubs typically offer significantly larger salaries than League One outfits. No official figures for that period have been made public.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Wellington Phoenix | Scholarship / Academy |
| 2019–20 | Wellington Phoenix | ~$50,000 |
| 2020–21 | Wellington Phoenix | ~$70,000 |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Phoenix | ~$85,500 |
| 2022–23 | Wellington Phoenix / Plymouth Argyle | Undisclosed (six-figure transfer fee) |
| 2023–24 | Plymouth Argyle (Championship) | Undisclosed |
| 2024–25 | Mansfield Town (loan from Plymouth) | Undisclosed |
| 2025–26 | Port Vale | Estimated £70,000–£130,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 72 | 17 | — |
| 2022–23 | Plymouth Argyle | EFL League One | 10 | 1 | — |
| 2023–24 | Plymouth Argyle | EFL Championship | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | Mansfield Town (loan) | EFL League One | 29 | 3 | — |
| 2025–26 | Port Vale | EFL League One | — | 8 | — |
| International | New Zealand | All Whites | 30 | 9 | — |
FAQs
What is Ben Waine’s net worth?
Ben Waine’s net worth is estimated at approximately $500,000. He earned this through professional football contracts in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix and in English football with Plymouth Argyle and Port Vale.
Which club does Ben Waine play?
He plays for Port Vale FC in England. He signed a two-year contract with the club on 30 June 2025 after Plymouth Argyle opted not to extend his deal.
Is Ben Waine playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. Head coach Darren Bazeley named him in New Zealand’s official 26-man World Cup squad. New Zealand compete in Group G against Iran, Belgium, and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
How many goals has Ben Waine scored for New Zealand?
He has scored nine goals in 30 appearances for the New Zealand national team. Four of those goals came at the 2024 OFC Nations Cup, which New Zealand won by defeating Vanuatu 3–0 in the final.
What is Ben Waine’s salary at Port Vale?
His Port Vale salary has not been officially disclosed. Based on the club’s published wage structure and his market value of €500,000 per Transfermarkt, his weekly wage is estimated to fall between £1,500 and £2,500, which is consistent with League One players at his level.
