Joe Bell has quietly become one of New Zealand football’s most important midfielders.
This article covers his estimated net worth, contract details with Viking FK, career earnings, and what makes him a pivotal figure heading into the FIFA World Cup.
Joe Bell’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joe Zen Robert Bell |
| Date of Birth | April 27, 1999 |
| Age | 27 |
| Place of Birth | Bristol, England |
| Nationality | New Zealand / England (dual citizen) |
| Height | 182 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Viking FK (Eliteserien, Norway) |
| Shirt Number | 8 |
| Turned Professional | January 2020 |
| International Caps | 31 (1 goal) |
| Market Value | €3.50 million (Transfermarkt, May 2026) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$500,000 USD |
| Player Agent | YMU Management Ltd. |
Early Life and Career
Joe Bell was born in Bristol, England, on April 27, 1999, but grew up in New Zealand — first in Wānaka and later in Christchurch. He picked up football at eight years old with Ferrymead Bays, showing an instinct for the game early.
Aged 15, Bell relocated to Wellington to attend Scots College and join the Wellington Phoenix Academy under coach Jess Ibrom.
He debuted for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the New Zealand Football Championship during the 2014–15 season, playing 12 games with four starts.
Over the following two seasons, he continued to accumulate minutes for the reserves, building a sharp tactical understanding of the defensive midfield role.
His youth international career ran alongside that club development. Bell represented New Zealand at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, featuring in group stage fixtures against Syria and Paraguay.
He later helped the New Zealand U19 side win the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti in 2018, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player — a major signal of things to come.
From New Zealand, Bell moved to the United States to join the University of Virginia Cavaliers, competing in NCAA Division I. He started 55 consecutive games across three seasons, earning a reputation as one of the best college midfielders in the country.
His 2019 season was exceptional: he co-captained the Cavaliers to the ACC Coastal Division title and the ACC men’s tournament crown, scoring seven goals with four assists in 22 appearances.
Bell won ACC Midfielder of the Year, the United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year, and finished as a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy — considered college soccer’s top individual honor.
Professional Career
Bell’s professional career began in January 2020 when he signed a three-year contract with Viking FK in Norway’s Eliteserien. He adapted quickly to the physical demands of Scandinavian football, becoming a reliable starter in defensive midfield.
In 2020, he featured in 29 Eliteserien matches, scoring two goals and providing four assists. The following year, he made 27 appearances and delivered a team-high eight assists.
Viking won the Norgesmesterskapet (Norwegian Cup) in 2019, a title Bell contributed to from the outset.
His performances attracted attention from Denmark, and on transfer deadline day in January 2022, he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Brøndby IF — the reigning Danish Superliga champions — for a reported fee of €1.1 million.
He spent 18 months in Denmark, making 34 appearances and winning the Atlantic Cup in 2023.
In August 2023, Bell returned to Viking FK, signing a four-year contract with the club. The reunion proved a smart move for all parties.
He became a central figure in Viking’s midfield, and his contribution to the 2025 Eliteserien season was significant enough to earn him a spot in the Eliteserien Team of the Year — as Viking ended a 34-year wait for the Norwegian title.
In international football, Bell earned his first senior cap for the All Whites on November 14, 2019, in a friendly against Ireland.
He featured in all four matches at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has since gone on to earn 31 caps, scoring one goal — in the 2022 OFC Nations Cup final against Solomon Islands.
New Zealand Football confirmed his selection in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 14, 2026.
Joe Bell’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joe Bell’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $500,000 USD.
He built this wealth primarily through professional football contracts in Norway and Denmark, where he has been a consistent starter since 2020.
Contract
Bell currently plays for Viking FK in Norway’s Eliteserien.
According to Transfermarkt, he rejoined the club on August 30, 2023, signing a four-year deal that runs through December 31, 2027.
At 27, he sits comfortably within Viking’s long-term planning and remains under contract beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle.
His previous Brøndby IF contract was reportedly a four-and-a-half-year deal signed in January 2022, though he departed after 18 months when Viking triggered a return.
Salary
Joe Bell at Viking FK Norwegian Eliteserien salaries for established internationals with European pedigree typically fall in the range of NOK 2.5–4.5 million annually (approximately $230,000–$415,000 USD at current exchange rates).
Given Bell’s Transfermarkt market value of €3.50 million and his status as a first-team regular and Eliteserien champion, his annual earnings likely sit toward the upper end of that bracket.
His Brøndby IF contract, at a higher-profile Danish club, may have commanded a similar or slightly larger figure.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Competition | Salary (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | Not disclosed |
| 2021 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | Not disclosed |
| 2022 | Brøndby IF | Danish Superliga | Not disclosed |
| 2023 | Brøndby IF / Viking FK | Danish Superliga / Eliteserien | Not disclosed |
| 2024 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | Not disclosed |
| 2025 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | Not disclosed |
| 2026 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | €3.50 million |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | NZ Football Championship | 12 | — | — |
| 2015–16 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | NZ Football Championship | 14 | — | — |
| 2016–17 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | NZ Football Championship | 8 | — | — |
| 2017–19 | Virginia Cavaliers | NCAA Division I | 55* | 6 | 10 |
| 2020 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | 29 | 2 | 4 |
| 2021 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | 27 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022–23 | Brøndby IF | Danish Superliga | 34 | — | — |
| 2023–24 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | 29 | 3 | 4 |
| 2026 | Viking FK | Eliteserien | 6 | 0 | 1 |
International Career (New Zealand)
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Caps (All Whites) | 31 | 1 |
| Tokyo 2020 Olympics | 4 | 0 |
| 2026 FIFA World Cup | Selected | — |
FAQs
What is Joe Bell’s net worth?
Joe Bell’s net worth is estimated at approximately $500,000 USD. He built this through professional contracts with Viking FK and Brøndby IF in Norway and Denmark. No official figure has been publicly confirmed.
What club does Joe Bell play for?
He plays for Viking FK in Norway’s Eliteserien. Bell rejoined the club in August 2023 after a spell at Brøndby IF, signing a four-year deal through December 31, 2027.
How many international caps does Joe Bell have?
Bell has earned 31 senior caps for New Zealand, scoring one goal. New Zealand Football confirmed his place in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 14, 2026.
What are Joe Bell’s biggest career achievements?
His biggest career achievements include winning the 2025 Eliteserien title and Norwegian Cup with Viking FK, the 2019 ACC Midfielder of the Year award at Virginia, the OFC U-19 Championship Golden Ball in 2018, and selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How much is Joe Bell worth on Transfermarkt?
Transfermarkt lists Joe Bell’s market value at €3.50 million as of May 2026. This reflects his regular first-team status at Viking FK and his role as an experienced international midfielder for New Zealand.
