Elijah Just went from Palmerston North to the FIFA World Cup stage in June 2026, scoring a historic brace against Iran.
This article covers his estimated net worth, current Motherwell contract, salary figures, and full career earnings.
Elijah Just’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elijah Henry Just |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 2000 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Right Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | Motherwell FC (Scottish Premiership) |
| Turned Professional | 2018 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~£119,600 (~$152,000) |
| Relationship Status | Private |
Early Life and Career
Elijah Henry Just was born on May 1, 2000, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, to a German father and a Chinese mother.
Growing up, he showed early promise on the football pitch, and his family supported him in relocating to Wellington to join the Olé Football Academy, then run by coach Declan Edge.
That move proved transformative. The academy environment gave Just the technical grounding that his natural speed alone could not have provided.
He broke into senior football with Western Suburbs in the Central League, where he was part of the squad that won the 2017 Central League title. He also featured in the 2018 Chatham Cup final as a runner-up.
His development continued at Eastern Suburbs, where he helped the club win the New Zealand Football Championship and qualify for the OFC Champions League. He finished that season with 20 appearances and 7 goals.
In 2018, Just had a brief trial at Dutch club PEC Zwolle. While they considered him good enough for a contract, they ultimately passed because Dutch rules would have required them to pay him a non-EU salary, which the club found too expensive at the time.
That near-miss only sharpened his focus. He had already represented New Zealand at the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship, captaining the side in their second match at the subsequent U-17 World Cup in India.
Professional Career
Just took the step into European football in 2019 when he joined FC Helsingør in Denmark, where he spent three seasons learning the demands of full-time professional football.
In July 2022, he transferred to AC Horsens, also in Denmark, adding further Scandinavian experience and gradually improving his output in the final third.
A loan move to SKN St. Pölten in Austria during the 2024–25 season gave him a fresh environment and sharper numbers closer to goal.
That form convinced Motherwell FC to sign him permanently. On 9 July 2025, Just signed for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
His first season in Scotland was immediately his best as a professional. He was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award after scoring seven goals and supplying eight assists in 30 games.
Motherwell noted that he became their first permanent player since 1994 to reach a World Cup with his country.
On the international stage, Just has been a consistent presence for the All Whites. He was part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad and the 2024 OFC Nations Cup-winning team.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Just became the first New Zealand player to score a brace at the FIFA World Cup, netting both goals in their group stage opener against Iran, which ended 2–2. The performance drew immediate attention from Scottish giants.
Celtic and Rangers have reportedly emerged as suitors for the New Zealand international following his World Cup showing.
Elijah Just’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Elijah Just’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this wealth steadily over a six-year professional career spanning New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, and Scotland. His current Motherwell salary forms the primary income stream, supplemented by any performance bonuses and international appearance fees from New Zealand Football.
Contract
Just joined Motherwell FC on July 9, 2025, and his contract runs through May 31, 2027, with a club option to extend for one additional year.
The transfer fee was not disclosed publicly. Transfermarkt currently values Just at €2.50 million, a figure that will almost certainly rise after his World Cup performances.
Reports linking him to Celtic and Rangers suggest his next deal could represent a significant salary upgrade.
Salary
Public wage trackers estimate Just earns approximately £2,300 per week at Motherwell, which works out to roughly £119,600 per year.
That figure is derived from third-party estimates rather than club-published data, so it carries a margin of uncertainty.
It is broadly consistent with what a productive winger earning a senior role in the Scottish Premiership would command at his experience level.
For context, the Scottish Premiership sits below the English Premier League and Serie A in earnings terms, but it offers a professional environment competitive enough to attract players from Danish and Austrian football, which is exactly the path Just followed.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | FC Helsingør | Not publicly available |
| 2020–21 | FC Helsingør | Not publicly available |
| 2021–22 | FC Helsingør | Not publicly available |
| 2022–23 | AC Horsens | Not publicly available |
| 2023–24 | AC Horsens | Not publicly available |
| 2024–25 | SKN St. Pölten (loan) | Not publicly available |
| 2025–26 | Motherwell FC | ~£119,600 (~$152,000) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Western Suburbs | Central League | — | — | — |
| 2018–19 | Eastern Suburbs | NZ Football Championship | 20 | 7 | — |
| 2019–22 | FC Helsingør | Danish Football | — | — | — |
| 2022–24 | AC Horsens | Danish Superliga | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | SKN St. Pölten (loan) | Austrian Bundesliga | — | — | — |
| 2025–26 | Motherwell FC | Scottish Premiership | 35 | 7 | 7 |
| 2025–26 | Motherwell FC | All competitions | 37 | 7 | — |
| International | New Zealand | Caps | 45 | 11 | — |
FAQs
What is Elijah Just’s net worth?
Elijah Just’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. He earned this through professional contracts in Denmark, Austria, and Scotland, with no verified public disclosure of his total earnings.
How much does Elijah Just earn at Motherwell?
Public wage trackers place Just at about £2,300 per week at Motherwell, working out to roughly £119,600 per year. This is an estimate, not a figure confirmed by the club.
What did Elijah Just achieve at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Just became the first New Zealand player to score a brace at the FIFA World Cup, netting both goals in their 2–2 draw against Iran in the group stage. He also became the first Motherwell player ever to score at the tournament.
Which clubs are interested in signing Elijah Just?
Celtic and Rangers have reportedly emerged as suitors for Just following his standout 2025–26 season at Motherwell and his World Cup performances. His agent confirmed clubs have made inquiries but said the focus during the tournament was football.
What is Elijah Just’s market value on Transfermarkt?
Transfermarkt lists Elijah Just’s market value at €2.50 million. That figure is expected to increase following his World Cup brace and the reported interest from Celtic and Rangers.
