Willy Boly is one of the most underrated centre-backs in the English Premier League.
He has spent over a decade at the top level of European football, and, his net worth reflects a long, steady career across France, Portugal, and England.
This article covers Willy Boly’s net worth, salary, contract details, career earnings, and more.
Willy Boly’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Willy-Arnaud Zobo Boly |
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1991 |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Place of Birth | Melun, Seine-et-Marne, France |
| Nationality | Ivorian (Côte d’Ivoire) |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Current Club | Nottingham Forest (Premier League) |
| Turned Professional | February 2011 |
| Net Worth | £9 million (estimated) |
| Weekly Salary | £40,000 |
| Annual Salary | £2 million |
| Relationship Status | Private |
| N/A |
Early Life & Career
Willy Boly was born on February 3, 1991, in Melun, a commune in Seine-et-Marne, just south of Paris.
His parents are from Côte d’Ivoire, though Boly grew up in France and came through the French football system.
He had youth spells at Rosny-sous-Bois and CFF Paris before earning a coveted three-year place at the prestigious INF Clairefontaine academy, the same development center that helped shape players like Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.
After Clairefontaine, he joined the AJ Auxerre academy, where scouts immediately noticed his physical presence and reading of the game.
He made his senior debut with Auxerre’s reserve side and signed his first professional contract in February 2011 — a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year.
He made his Ligue 1 debut on April 16, 2011, playing 90 minutes in a 1–0 win away to Toulouse, and scored his first professional goal the very next matchday in a 1–1 draw against Lens.
Despite becoming a regular starter in the 2011–12 season with 33 league appearances, Auxerre were relegated to Ligue 2.
Boly stayed loyal to the club and spent two more seasons in the second tier, logging nearly 30 matches per campaign before earning a move abroad.
Professional Career
Boly’s move abroad came in September 2014 when he signed a four-year deal with Portuguese club S.C. Braga.
He spent his first season with Braga’s B side in the Segunda Liga before breaking into the first team the following year.
In 2015–16, he made 22 league appearances and helped Braga win the Taça de Portugal, their domestic cup. This strong run of form attracted attention from Porto.
On August 31, 2016, Porto signed Boly on a five-year contract with a massive €45 million buyout clause. He played only eight competitive matches for Porto before Wolverhampton Wanderers came calling.
On July 8, 2017, Boly joined Wolves on a season-long loan in the EFL Championship, reuniting with manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
He made 37 appearances that season, scored three goals, and played a key role in Wolves winning the Championship title and earning promotion to the Premier League. He also earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for that season.
Wolves signed him permanently, and Boly went on to become a Premier League mainstay. He made his top-flight debut on August 11, 2018, scoring his first league goal two weeks later against Manchester City.
He suffered a fractured fibula in October 2019 that kept him out for months, but he returned stronger.
On September 1, 2022, Boly signed with Nottingham Forest on a two-year deal.
Forest extended his contract in June 2024, and again in May 2025 per verified reports. With Ivory Coast, Boly won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 — the biggest honor of his international career
Willy Boly’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Willy Boly’s has an estimated net worth of £9 million.
He built this wealth through over 15 years of professional football contracts across France, Portugal, and England, including more than six seasons in the Premier League at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.
Contract
Boly signed a one-year contract extension with Nottingham Forest in May 2025, keeping him at the City Ground until June 30, 2026, as confirmed by BBC Sport.
Forest also hold an option to trigger a further extension. According to Salary Leaks, his base salary under this deal is £2 million per year.
He joined Forest on an initial two-year deal in September 2022, and the club has renewed his stay twice since then, reflecting the trust head coach Nuno Espírito Santo places in him.
Salary
Boly earns £40,000 per week at Nottingham Forest, which works out to approximately £2 million per year.
This has been his consistent salary level since joining Forest in 2022, according to data tracked by Capology and AiScore.
During his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, salary estimates from verified sources put his weekly earnings at a higher bracket, particularly during his peak seasons in the Premier League between 2018 and 2022.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Weekly Salary (Est.) | Annual Salary (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) | £20,000 | £1.04M |
| 2018–19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £50,000 | £2.6M |
| 2019–20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £50,000 | £2.6M |
| 2020–21 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £50,000 | £2.6M |
| 2021–22 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £50,000 | £2.6M |
| 2022–23 | Nottingham Forest | £40,000 | £2.0M |
| 2023–24 | Nottingham Forest | £40,000 | £2.0M |
| 2024–25 | Nottingham Forest | £40,000 | £2.0M |
| 2025–26 | Nottingham Forest | £40,000 | £2.0M |
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxerre | 2010–14 | Ligue 1 / Ligue 2 | 97 | 3 | 113 | 4 |
| Braga | 2014–17 | Primeira Liga | 25 | 2 | 44 | 2 |
| Porto | 2016–17 | Primeira Liga | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2017–22 | Championship / PL | 125 | 8 | 147 | 9 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2022–26 | Premier League | 37 | 2 | 47 | 3 |
| Career Total | 288 | 15 | 358 | 18 |
FAQs
What is Willy Boly’s net worth?
Willy Boly has an estimated net worth of £9 million. He earned this through professional football contracts in France, Portugal, and England spanning over 15 years.
How much does Willy Boly earn per week?
Boly earns £40,000 per week at Nottingham Forest, which equals approximately £2 million per year. He has held this salary level consistently since joining Forest in September 2022.
What contract is Willy Boly on at Nottingham Forest?
Boly signed a one-year contract extension in May 2025, running until June 30, 2026. Nottingham Forest also hold an option to extend his deal by another year beyond that.
Did Willy Boly win any major trophies?
Yes. Boly won the EFL Championship with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017–18, the Taça de Portugal with Braga in 2015–16, and the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast in 2023.
What nationality is Willy Boly?
Boly was born in France to Ivorian parents and represents Côte d’Ivoire internationally. He previously played for France at under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels before switching allegiance in 2020.
