James McGarry has quietly built a decade-long professional football career spanning New Zealand, the Netherlands, Scotland, Greece, and Australia.
This article breaks down his estimated net worth, salary history, contract details, and career earnings.
James McGarry’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Robert McGarry |
| Date of Birth | 9 April 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Place of Birth | Mosgiel, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand / Ireland |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 72 kg (11 st 4 lb) |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Current Club | Wellington Phoenix FC |
| Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$300,000 USD |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
Early Life and Career
James Robert McGarry was born on 9 April 1998 in Mosgiel, a small town near Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island.
Growing up in a sports-focused household — he is the son of Michael McGarry — James developed an early passion for football that set him on a path far beyond his hometown.
In 2011, he was scouted to attend the APFA (Academy for Professional Football Advancement) in Christchurch, a significant first step toward professional football.
When the academy relocated to Wellington and came under the banner of the Wellington Phoenix, Academy Director Jess Ibrom identified McGarry as a standout talent and brought him into the Phoenix setup.
His talent attracted international attention at a young age. McGarry earned trial opportunities with Premier League clubs Chelsea and Sheffield United — a remarkable achievement for a teenager from regional New Zealand. Though neither trial resulted in a contract, the experience sharpened him considerably.
On 10 September 2015, McGarry signed his first professional contract with Wellington Phoenix alongside countryman Logan Rogerson.
A brief loan spell with Wellington United in 2016 gave him consistent playing time before he returned to Phoenix for his initial senior run.
He also represented New Zealand at youth level, including the U-17 and U-20 squads, before breaking into senior international football.
Professional Career
McGarry’s professional journey accelerated in 2018 when he signed for Dutch Eredivisie club Willem II on a two-year deal — a bold move that took him into one of Europe’s competitive top-flight leagues.
His time in the Netherlands was development-focused; he made six league appearances across two seasons, gaining exposure to matches against Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, before returning to Wellington Phoenix in October 2020.
Back in the A-League, McGarry flourished. He made 22 appearances in the 2020–21 season and 15 in 2021–22.
A move to Newcastle United Jets followed in July 2022, and he scored his first A-League goal for the club before transferring to Central Coast Mariners in February 2023.
At the Mariners, he became an A-League Championship winner in the 2022–23 season — the standout title of his career to date.
In August 2023, McGarry crossed hemispheres again, joining Aberdeen FC of the Scottish Premiership on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He earned 13 starts in his debut Scottish Premiership season and also featured in the UEFA Conference League.
After struggling for consistent game time, he joined Super League Greece side Athens Kallithea on loan in January 2025.
McGarry moved to Brisbane Roar in July 2025, where he delivered a solid 2025–26 A-League season with 1 goal, 3 assists, and 1,814 minutes played.
His contract was mutually terminated on 9 June 2026, after which he immediately signed a two-year deal with Wellington Phoenix — the club where it all began.
On the international stage, McGarry has earned senior caps for the New Zealand All Whites, representing his country at senior level after years of youth appearances.
James McGarry’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, James McGarry’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $300,000 USD.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts across New Zealand, the Netherlands, Australia, Scotland, and Greece.
His career has spanned over a decade of active play at club level, with salaries reflecting the modest-to-mid tier wage structures of the A-League, Eredivisie, and Scottish Premiership.
Contract
McGarry’s most high-profile contract was his three-year deal with Aberdeen FC signed on 11 August 2023, joining from Central Coast Mariners for an undisclosed transfer fee.
He then moved to Brisbane Roar in July 2025. That contract was mutually terminated on 9 June 2026. On the same day, he signed a new two-year contract with Wellington Phoenix, taking him through the 2027–28 A-League season.
His Transfermarkt-listed market value as of May 2026 stood at €400,000, reflecting his standing as a reliable, experienced left-back in the A-League competition bracket.
Salary
McGarry’s exact annual salary has not been publicly disclosed at any club. Based on established salary benchmarks for his leagues, the following estimates apply:
During his Eredivisie stint with Willem II (2018–2020), first-team squad players typically earned in the range of €40,000–€80,000 per year.
His A-League contracts — first with Wellington Phoenix, then Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners — would fall within the A-League’s typical range for established squad players, broadly AUD $100,000–$200,000 per season.
His Scottish Premiership salary at Aberdeen likely fell in the £40,000–£70,000 per year bracket for a squad rotation player.
His current two-year deal with Wellington Phoenix, as an experienced international left-back, likely sits at the higher end of A-League squad player wages.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not disclosed |
| 2016–17 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | Not disclosed |
| 2018–19 | Willem II | Eredivisie | ~€50,000 (est.) |
| 2019–20 | Willem II | Eredivisie | ~€50,000 (est.) |
| 2020–21 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | ~AUD $100,000 (est.) |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | ~AUD $100,000 (est.) |
| 2022–23 | Newcastle Jets / Central Coast Mariners | A-League | ~AUD $120,000 (est.) |
| 2023–24 | Aberdeen FC | Scottish Premiership | ~£50,000 (est.) |
| 2024–25 | Aberdeen / Athens Kallithea (loan) | SPL / Super League Greece | ~£45,000 (est.) |
| 2025–26 | Brisbane Roar | A-League | ~AUD $130,000 (est.) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016–17 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | Willem II | Eredivisie | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Willem II | Eredivisie | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 22 | 0 | — |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 15 | 0 | — |
| 2022–23 | Newcastle Jets | A-League | 10 | 1 | — |
| 2022–23 | Central Coast Mariners | A-League | 11 | 2 | — |
| 2023–24 | Aberdeen FC | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 0 | — |
| 2024–25 | Aberdeen / Athens Kallithea | SPL / SLG | 7+ | 0 | — |
| 2025–26 | Brisbane Roar | A-League | ~20 | 1 | 3 |
FAQs
What is James McGarry’s net worth?
James McGarry’s net worth is estimated at approximately $300,000 USD in 2026. He earned this through over a decade of professional contracts across New Zealand, the Netherlands, Australia, Scotland, and Greece.
Which club does James McGarry play?
McGarry signed a two-year contract with Wellington Phoenix on 9 June 2026, after Brisbane Roar mutually terminated his previous deal on the same day. He returns to the club where he started his career.
Has James McGarry won any trophies?
Yes. McGarry won the 2022–23 A-League Championship with Central Coast Mariners in his first season at the club — the standout honour of his professional career so far.
How many caps has James McGarry earned for New Zealand?
McGarry has earned five senior international caps for the New Zealand All Whites. He also represented New Zealand at U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels earlier in his career.
What is James McGarry’s market value?
According to Transfermarkt, McGarry’s market value stood at €400,000 as of May 2026, reflecting his profile as an experienced A-League left-back with European club experience.
