William Saliba is often called the “Rolls Royce” of defenders because he plays with smooth confidence and power.
He has become one of the best center-backs in the world for Arsenal and the France national team. Fans love him for his clean tackles and calm style of play.
In this article, you will know William Saliba’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
William Saliba’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Alain André Gabriel Saliba |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | AS Bondy Academy (Youth) |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2018 |
| Net Worth | £35 Million (Estimated) |
| Salary | £13,000,000 Per Year |
| Wife/Partner | Private / Single |
| Instagram Profile | @williamsaliba4 |
| Twitter Profile | @WilliamSaliba |
Early Career
William Saliba grew up in Bondy, a suburb of Paris known for producing great football talent like Kylian Mbappé. He started playing football at just six years old with AS Bondy, where his father coached him.
His size and strength were obvious from a young age, but he also had excellent technical skills. He moved to FC Montfermeil in 2014 to continue his development before catching the eye of professional scouts.
Saint-Étienne signed him in 2016, and he quickly moved up through their youth ranks. He made his professional debut for Saint-Étienne in September 2018 when he was only 17 years old.
His performances were so impressive that top European clubs began to watch him closely. Arsenal won the race for his signature in 2019, paying a transfer fee of around £27 million, but they loaned him back to Saint-Étienne for one more season to gain experience.
Professional Career
After signing with Arsenal, Saliba faced a difficult start and spent time on loan at Nice and Marseille in the French Ligue 1. He won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award while at Marseille in 2022, which proved he was ready for the Premier League.
He finally made his competitive debut for Arsenal in August 2022 and instantly became a key starter. His partnership with Gabriel Magalhães helped transform Arsenal’s defense into one of the best in Europe.
Saliba has maintained his world-class form through the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He played every minute of the 2023-24 campaign and helped Arsenal challenge for major trophies.
In September 2025, he committed his future to the club by signing a massive new contract. As of 2026, he remains the first name on the team sheet and a regular starter for the French national team.
William Saliba’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, William Saliba has an estimated net worth of roughly £35 million.
Contract
William Saliba signed a huge contract extension with Arsenal in September 2025. This new deal runs until the summer of 2030 and reflects his status as one of the best defenders in the world.
The contract secures his future at the Emirates Stadium for the prime years of his career.
Salary
Under his new 2025 contract, Saliba earns a base salary of £250,000 per week. This amounts to £13,000,000 per year before taxes.
His deal also includes performance-related bonuses worth up to £2.6 million per season, which can push his total weekly package closer to £300,000.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Annual Salary (Gross) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Arsenal | £13,000,000 |
| 2025 | Arsenal | £13,000,000 |
| 2024 | Arsenal | £9,880,000 |
| 2023 | Arsenal | £9,880,000 |
| 2022 | Arsenal | £2,080,000 |
| 2021 | Marseille (Loan) | £1,800,000 |
| 2020 | Nice (Loan) | £1,500,000 |
Endorsements
William Saliba has built an impressive portfolio of brand partnerships that significantly boosts his income outside of football.
His biggest deal is with Nike, and you will often see him wearing their Tiempo Legend boots on the pitch as one of their key defensive faces.
Beyond sportswear, he has expanded into fashion and lifestyle through collaborations with the streetwear label A-COLD-WALL* and the casual footwear giant Crocs.
He also features in the video game world through a partnership with Konami’s eFootball, further solidifying his status as a marketable global star.
Career Stats
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Arsenal | Premier League | 21 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Arsenal | Premier League | 38 | 18 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Arsenal | Premier League | 38 | 18 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | Arsenal | Premier League | 27 | 11 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Marseille | Ligue 1 | 36 | 13 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Nice | Ligue 1 | 20 | 4 | 1 |
| 2019-20 | St-Étienne | Ligue 1 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
FAQs
1. How much does Saliba earn under his new contract?
He earns a massive base salary of £250,000 per week following his extension. This lucrative deal secures his future at the club until 2030 and places him among the highest earners in the squad.
2. Why do fans call Saliba a “Rolls Royce” defender?
Supporters and pundits use this nickname because he defends with effortless elegance and composure on the pitch. He combines immense physical power with smooth technical skills, much like the luxury car brand suggests for its vehicles.
3. What transfer fee did Arsenal pay for him?
The North London club paid approximately £27 million to acquire him from Saint-Étienne back. He spent several seasons on loan in France before he finally established himself as a regular starter for the team.
4. What jersey number does he wear for Arsenal?
He currently wears the number 2 shirt for the Gunners in all competitions. He switched to this prominent squad number before the 2023-2024 season started, after he previously wore number 12 for the club.
5. Is Saliba a regular starter for the France national team?
He has firmly cemented his place as a first-choice center-back for the French national side. Didier Deschamps consistently selects him for major tournaments and qualifiers, where he partners with other elite defenders in the starting lineup.
