Wilguens Paugain’s story reads like something from a football movie — a Haitian-born kid adopted by a French family, released from his academy, forced to deliver pizzas, and yet still making it to the Belgian top flight and the national team.
So what is Wilguens Paugain’s net worth, and how did he build it?
In this article, you’ll find everything from his verified salary and contract details to career earnings, statistics, and the remarkable backstory behind the numbers.
Wilguens Paugain’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wilguens Raphaël Polynice Paugain |
| Date of Birth | 24 August 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Place of Birth | Thomazeau, Haiti |
| Nationality | Haitian / French |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Right-Back |
| Current Club | SV Zulte Waregem (Belgian Pro League) |
| Turned Professional | 2022 (Akritas Chlorakas, Cyprus) |
| Market Value | €600,000 (Transfermarkt, 2026) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $300,000 |
| Contract Expires | 30 June 2028 |
| Agent | MDC Advisors |
| International Team | Haiti |
Early Life & Career
Wilguens Paugain was born on 24 August 2001 in Thomazeau, a small commune in eastern Haiti.
He spent his first five years in his home country before being adopted by a French family and relocating to Épinal, a town in the Vosges region of northeastern France. It was in France that his football journey truly began — he tried tennis first, then committed fully to football.
His early talent was clear enough that he caught the eye of AS Nomexy Vincey when he was just six years old.
He trained there from 2007 to 2008, then joined SAS Épinal’s academy, where he spent seven formative years developing the technical foundation that would later attract bigger clubs.
The real turning point came when he was 12. He won a regional tournament and was named in the team of the tournament — a performance that brought AS Nancy-Lorraine’s scouts to his door.
His parents agreed to the move, and in 2015 he joined Nancy’s academy, one of the most respected youth setups in French football at the time.
He progressed through the CREPS program, played at U17 National level, represented France’s youth teams at U18, and eventually earned his debut with Nancy’s reserve side in the Championnat National 3 in 2019.
What followed, however, was a painful setback. Nancy’s senior management decided not to keep him after his reserve stint, and Paugain found himself without a professional contract.
Rather than give up, he dropped back to SAS Épinal and played in Régional 1 — French football’s sixth tier — while working part-time as a pizza delivery driver to make ends meet.
That period tested him, but it also shaped the resilience that eventually drove him back into professional football.
Professional Career
Paugain’s professional breakthrough came in the summer of 2022 when he signed for Cypriot club Akritas Chlorakas, ending years of uncertainty with his first senior contract.
He spent one season in Cyprus before moving to Latvian side FK Auda in 2023, where he continued building his profile in Eastern European football.
The defining move came on 31 July 2024, when he transferred to Austrian second-division club SKN St. Pölten.
His performances there were strong enough to attract attention from Belgium, and on 1 February 2025, he joined SV Zulte Waregem on loan for the second half of the 2024-25 season.
Zulte were battling for promotion from the Challenger Pro League at the time, and Paugain played a direct role in their title-winning campaign — including a crucial assist in the final decisive match.
His impact was enough for Zulte Waregem to make the move permanent. He joined the club outright from 1 July 2025 on a contract running through June 2028, stepping straight into life in the Belgian Pro League — the Jupiler Pro League — for the 2025-26 season.
According to FBref, he made 24 league appearances and contributed one goal as Zulte competed in the top flight.
On the international stage, Paugain made his debut for the Haiti national team in March 2025, having previously represented France at youth level.
He went on to feature for Haiti in CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying and World Cup CONCACAF qualifiers, earning six FIFA caps to date according to national football team records.
Wilguens Paugain’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Wilguens Paugain’s has an estimated net worth of $300,000.
He built this wealth through professional contracts across Cyprus, Latvia, Austria, and Belgium — a career path that only turned professional at 21, meaning his earnings window is relatively short but now accelerating quickly with his establishment in the Belgian top flight.
Contract
According to Transfermarkt, Paugain signed a permanent contract with SV Zulte Waregem effective 1 July 2025, with the deal running until 30 June 2028.
That gives him three seasons of top-flight Belgian football guaranteed, a significant upgrade from the short-term arrangements that defined his earlier career.
His market value sits at €600,000, which puts him in the mid-range for Zulte’s squad — a solid foundation for a player still only 24 years old with room to grow.
Salary
Salary figures for Zulte Waregem players are publicly disclosed.
However, based on publicly available wage data from SalarySport and industry benchmarks for the Belgian Pro League, Zulte Waregem’s total annual wage bill is approximately £4.2 million, which translates to an estimated average of around £1,500–£2,500 per week for mid-tier squad players.
For a right-back of Paugain’s profile and market value, a reasonable estimate places his weekly wage at approximately €1,500–€2,200 per week (roughly €78,000–€114,000 per year).
This is consistent with similar-value defenders in the Jupiler Pro League.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Akritas Chlorakas | Cyprus 1st Division | ~€25,000 |
| 2023–24 | FK Auda | Latvian Higher League | ~€20,000 |
| 2024–25 | SKN St. Pölten / Zulte Waregem | Austria 2. Liga / Belgian Challenger | ~€50,000 |
| 2025–26 | Zulte Waregem | Belgian Pro League | ~€95,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–22 | Nancy II | Championnat National 3 | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Akritas Chlorakas | Cyprus 1st Division | ~18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | FK Auda | Latvian Higher League | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | SKN St. Pölten | Austria 2. Liga | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | Zulte Waregem (loan) | Belgian Challenger Pro League | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Zulte Waregem | Belgian Pro League | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| International | Haiti | FIFA Matches | 6 | 0 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Wilguens Paugain’s net worth?
Wilguens Paugain’s estimated net worth is approximately $300,000, built through professional contracts in Cyprus, Latvia, Austria, and Belgium since he turned professional in 2022.
Which club does Wilguens Paugain play?
He plays for SV Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Pro League (Jupiler Pro League) under a contract that runs through June 2028.
What country does Wilguens Paugain represent internationally?
Paugain represents Haiti internationally. He previously appeared for France at U18 youth level before switching his allegiance to Haiti in 2025.
How much does Wilguens Paugain earn per week?
League wage benchmarks and his market value of €600,000, his estimated weekly wage is around €1,500–€2,200.
What is Wilguens Paugain’s market value?
According to Transfermarkt, Paugain’s market value as of 2026 is €600,000 — a figure that reflects his growing presence in the Belgian top flight and his international appearances with Haiti.
