Bill Tuiloma has quietly become one of the most well-traveled defenders in Oceanian football.
This article covers his estimated net worth, full salary history, current contract at Wellington Phoenix, and everything that shaped his financial profile over a 15-year professional career.
Bill Tuiloma’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bill Poni Tuiloma |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1995 |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | New Zealander (Samoan descent) |
| Height / Weight | 182 cm / 78 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back / Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Wellington Phoenix (A-League) |
| Turned Professional | 2011 |
| Net Worth | ~$2 million (estimated) |
| Current Salary | Not publicly disclosed (A-League, 2026) |
| @tuiloma_official |
Early Life and Career
Bill Poni Tuiloma was born on March 27, 1995, in Beach Haven, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.
His family has Samoan roots, and he grew up immersed in the competitive football culture of northern Auckland. He attended Birkenhead College and Lincoln High School, where his early ability on the ball attracted regional attention.
Tuiloma was among the first group of young players selected for the Asia Pacific Football Academy, a program that had ties with Chelsea FC.
That experience sharpened his technical foundation and helped him develop the positional discipline that would later define his professional game.
He began his club career with Birkenhead United before joining Waitakere United in 2011 for New Zealand’s top-flight ASB Premiership. With Waitakere, he won back-to-back national titles in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons — a strong early signal of his quality.
His performances for Waitakere and New Zealand youth teams attracted interest from clubs in Europe.
He trialed at LA Galaxy and Queens Park Rangers before a connection through Joey Barton’s short spell at Marseille opened a door to France.
In July 2013, at just 18 years old, Tuiloma signed with Olympique de Marseille — a move that would change his career trajectory entirely.
Professional Career
Tuiloma’s time at Marseille kept him mostly in the reserve setup, but on February 7, 2015, he came on as a substitute for Florian Thauvin in a 2–2 draw with Rennes.
That appearance made him the first New Zealander ever to play in Ligue 1, a milestone that still stands. He made just two senior appearances for the club before heading out on loan to RC Strasbourg for the 2015–16 season, where he won the Championnat National title.
In July 2017, Tuiloma signed with Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. He spent over five seasons in the Pacific Northwest, becoming one of the club’s most consistent defensive options.
According to ESPN’s career stats for Tuiloma, he made more than 107 regular-season MLS appearances for Portland, contributing six goals and three assists, including a career-best six goals in 2022.
In February 2023, Charlotte FC acquired Tuiloma from Portland in a three-team trade, with the club paying $800,000 in General Allocation Money. The Charlotte FC official player page confirms he made 19 appearances (15 starts) in his debut 2023 season and continued to contribute across 2024 and 2025.
After Charlotte declined his option at the end of November 2025, Tuiloma returned home. On January 8, 2026, Wellington Phoenix announced the signing of the 30-year-old on a deal running until the end of the 2027–28 A-League season — a genuine homecoming after 12 and a half years abroad.
On the international stage, Tuiloma made his All Whites debut on October 15, 2013. He captained New Zealand’s U-20 side at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup held on home soil, helping the team reach the Round of 16.
He also represented his country at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, starting all three group-stage matches. As of early 2026, Tuiloma has accumulated 47 caps and scored four goals for the national team.
Bill Tuiloma’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Bill Tuiloma’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $2 million.
He built this wealth through professional contracts spanning New Zealand, France, and nearly a decade in Major League Soccer — one of the better-compensated leagues outside Europe’s top tiers.
Contract
Tuiloma’s most recent major contract was a four-year extension with the Portland Timbers signed in February 2022, which included a 2026 club option.
That contract transferred with him when Charlotte FC acquired him in February 2023 via a trade worth $800,000 in General Allocation Money.
Charlotte FC declined his optional extension on November 21, 2025. He then signed a new deal with Wellington Phoenix in January 2026, valid through June 30, 2028 — two full A-League seasons.
Salary
Capology’s salary data places Tuiloma’s estimated base salary at $500,000 for the 2025 MLS season with Charlotte FC, equating to approximately $9,615 gross per week. This represented the peak of his MLS earning power.
His salary during his early Portland years was lower, in line with MLS developmental rates before his 2019 and 2022 extensions. A-League salaries are typically lower than MLS rates, and his current Wellington Phoenix deal has not been publicly disclosed.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2013 | Waitakere United | Not publicly available |
| 2013–2017 | Olympique de Marseille | Not publicly available |
| 2015–2016 | RC Strasbourg (loan) | Not publicly available |
| 2018 | Portland Timbers | ~$150,000 (MLS entry range) |
| 2019 | Portland Timbers | ~$200,000 (post-extension) |
| 2020 | Portland Timbers | ~$230,000 |
| 2021 | Portland Timbers | ~$280,000 |
| 2022 | Portland Timbers | ~$400,000 (post-extension) |
| 2023 | Charlotte FC | ~$450,000 |
| 2024 | Charlotte FC | ~$480,000 |
| 2025 | Charlotte FC | ~$500,000 (Capology estimate) |
| 2026– | Wellington Phoenix | Not disclosed |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Waitakere United | ASB Premiership | — | — | — |
| 2012–13 | Waitakere United | ASB Premiership | — | — | — |
| 2014–15 | Marseille | Ligue 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | RC Strasbourg (loan) | Championnat National | — | — | — |
| 2018–2022 | Portland Timbers | MLS (Regular Season) | 107 | 6 | 3 |
| 2023–2025 | Charlotte FC | MLS (Regular Season) | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| All Whites | New Zealand | International | 47 | 4 | — |
FAQs
What is Bill Tuiloma’s net worth?
Bill Tuiloma’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million. He earned the majority of his wealth through MLS contracts at Portland Timbers and Charlotte FC, where his base salary reached approximately $500,000 annually.
What club does Bill Tuiloma play?
He currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. He signed with the New Zealand club in January 2026 after Charlotte FC declined his optional extension, with his deal running through the 2027–28 season.
How many caps does Bill Tuiloma have for New Zealand?
Tuiloma has 47 senior caps for the All Whites and has scored four international goals. He made his debut in October 2013 and has been a regular fixture in the national setup ever since.
Was Bill Tuiloma the first New Zealander to play in Ligue 1?
Yes. On February 7, 2015, Tuiloma came on as a substitute for Olympique de Marseille against Rennes, becoming the first New Zealander ever to play in France’s top division. He remains the only one to have done so.
What did Charlotte FC pay for Bill Tuiloma?
Charlotte FC acquired Tuiloma from the Portland Timbers in February 2023 via a three-team trade worth $800,000 in General Allocation Money — $500,000 for the 2023 season and $300,000 for 2024. He spent three seasons at the club before his option was declined.
