Wilguens Paugain Stats, Age, Salary & Net Worth
Wilguens Paugain is a Haitian right-back who plays for Zulte Waregem in Belgium. He gives the Haiti World Cup 2026 squad a modern wide defender with pace, recovery speed, and a right-footed crossing profile. His current record covers age, club role, Haiti caps, salary status, market value, and playing style.
Paugain was born in Thomazeau, Haiti, on 24 August 2001. Transfermarkt lists his full name as Wilguens Raphael Polynice Paugain, his height at 180 cm, and his preferred foot as right. Zulte Waregem lists him in its first-team squad as defender number 12.
Wilguens Paugain Quick Answer
Wilguens Paugain is a 24-year-old Haiti international at Zulte Waregem. He plays mainly at right-back or right wing-back. Transfermarkt and National Football Teams list him with 8 Haiti caps and 0 goals.
Early Life and Background
Paugain’s football path started after his family moved from Haiti to France. Transfermarkt lists AS Nomexy Vincey, SAS Epinal, and AS Nancy-Lorraine among his youth clubs. That academy route gave him French technical training before he entered senior football.
Nancy’s reserve side gave him early senior minutes in French football. He then moved through Cyprus, Latvia, Austria, and Belgium. Those steps shaped a defender who can handle different leagues and match tempos.
Birthplace, Family, and Youth Football Journey
Reliable public player databases list Thomazeau as Paugain’s birthplace. Public records also show Haitian and French citizenship, with Haiti as his senior national team. Detailed family information is not part of the verified football record.
His youth journey matters because he developed outside Haiti before choosing the Grenadiers at senior level. France U18 appearances in 2018 showed his early international recognition. His Haiti debut later gave the national team another option on the right flank.
Wilguens Paugain Personal Info and Profile
| Profile Detail | Wilguens Paugain Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Wilguens Raphael Polynice Paugain |
| Date of birth | 24 August 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Haiti |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Position | Right-back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Zulte Waregem |
| Jersey number | 12 |
| Weekly salary | not publicly confirmed |
| Estimated net worth | not publicly confirmed |
Transfer News and Market Value
Paugain first joined Zulte Waregem on loan from SKN St. Polten in February 2025. The Belgian club later activated the move and announced a contract through 2028. Transfermarkt lists his current Zulte Waregem contract end date as 30 June 2028.
Transfermarkt lists his market value at EUR 800,000 after its June 2026 update. Sofascore places his market value near EUR 825,000, while FotMob uses a lower model near EUR 565,000. The open market indicators place him in the mid-six-figure range.
Wilguens Paugain Salary and Net Worth
Paugain’s Zulte Waregem salary is not confirmed in reliable public records. Major open player databases list his club, contract, and value, but they do not publish a verified weekly wage. FWCTimes avoids salary claims when no public document supports the figure.
His net worth is also not confirmed through a reliable financial source. The useful money indicators are his Zulte Waregem contract through 2028 and his current market-value range. Those details explain his financial profile without inventing private earnings.
Wilguens Paugain Club Career
Paugain’s senior club career began with Nancy’s reserve team in France. He then played for Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus and FK Auda in Latvia. SKN St. Polten brought him to Austria before Zulte Waregem moved for him in 2025.
Zulte Waregem used him during its promotion-winning period and then kept him for the top-flight step. The club’s announcement praised his athletic profile and attacking qualities. That description matches a right-back who can defend wide spaces and still support forward moves.
Early Clubs and Development
Nancy’s reserve team gave Paugain his first senior-level football in France. Akritas Chlorakas then gave him top-division football in Cyprus. FK Auda added Latvian league minutes before SKN St. Polten offered a new platform.
Those moves gave him a broad European base. He had to adapt to different tactical demands, languages, and league styles. That matters for Haiti because international football often asks defenders to adjust fast.
Current Club and Recent Form
Paugain currently plays for Zulte Waregem. The club’s official squad page lists him as a defender with number 12. Transfermarkt, FotMob, 365Scores, Sofascore, and ESPN also list him with Zulte Waregem.
FotMob lists his 2025/26 Belgian Pro League line at 24 matches, 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1,281 minutes. Haiti also need defensive stability around players such as Jean-Kevin Duverne. Matches against higher-level teams such as the Brazil World Cup 2026 team can test Paugain’s positioning and recovery runs.
Wilguens Paugain Club Career Stats
| Season Or Spell | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2022 | Nancy II | 5 | 0 | not listed in source |
| 2022-2023 | Akritas Chlorakas | 21 | 0 | not listed in source |
| 2023-2024 | FK Auda | 21 | 0 | not listed in source |
| 2024-2025 | SKN St. Polten | 14 | 0 | not listed in source |
| 2024-2025 | Zulte Waregem loan | 3 | 0 | not listed in source |
| 2025-2026 | Zulte Waregem | 24 | 1 | 0 |
International Career
Paugain represented France at U18 level before committing to Haiti at senior level. National Football Teams lists his Haiti debut in March 2025 against Azerbaijan. The same database lists him with 8 senior Haiti appearances and 0 goals.
His international timing helps Haiti because the team needs reliable full-back depth. Sebastien Migne can use him as a right-back, right wing-back, or emergency wide midfielder. His club minutes in Belgium keep him competitive for tournament selection.
Caps, Goals, and Major Tournaments
Paugain played in Haiti’s 2025 Gold Cup period and 2026 friendly schedule. National Football Teams lists matches against Azerbaijan, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Tunisia, Iceland, New Zealand, and Peru. Those appearances moved him from newcomer to active squad option.
| National Team | Caps | Goals | Tournament Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiti senior team | 8 | 0 | Gold Cup and World Cup squad pool |
| France U18 | 2 | 0 | Youth international friendlies |
Honours and Trophies
Paugain was part of Zulte Waregem’s promotion-winning 2024/25 group. The club announcement described Zulte as Challenger Pro League champion when it confirmed his permanent deal. That promotion pushed him into Belgium’s first tier.
Public records do not show a long senior trophy list before his Zulte Waregem move. His strongest achievement is the climb from reserve football to an active first-team role in Belgium. That career movement also helped him earn Haiti caps.
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Paugain plays as a right-back, right wing-back, or right midfielder. Transfermarkt and National Football Teams both list right-back as his main position. FotMob lists right wing-back as his primary role and right-back as another role.
His game leans on athletic recovery, forward runs, and right-footed delivery. Zulte Waregem’s sporting staff highlighted his athletic ability and attacking qualities after the permanent move. Those traits fit Haiti’s need for width and quick defensive cover.
Position, Role, and Standout Qualities
Paugain’s best role is on the right side of defense. He can play deeper as a right-back or higher as a wing-back. That role flexibility gives Haiti options when the team changes shape.
His standout qualities are speed, work rate, and wide defending. He can overlap when space opens and recover when opponents counter down his side. Those qualities become important when Haiti face stronger attacking teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Wilguens Paugain?
Wilguens Paugain is 24 years old. Transfermarkt lists his date of birth as 24 August 2001.
Which club does Wilguens Paugain play for?
Wilguens Paugain plays for Zulte Waregem in Belgium. The club lists him as defender number 12.
What position does Wilguens Paugain play?
Wilguens Paugain plays mainly as a right-back or right wing-back. He is right-footed.
Does Wilguens Paugain play for Haiti?
Yes. Transfermarkt and National Football Teams list him with 8 Haiti caps and 0 goals.
What are Wilguens Paugain's salary and net worth?
His salary and net worth are not publicly confirmed. Transfermarkt lists his market value at EUR 800,000.
Conclusion
Wilguens Paugain gives Haiti an active European-based right-back with first-team football in Belgium. His Zulte Waregem contract through 2028, 8 Haiti caps, and rising market value make his record stronger than the old draft suggested. The key verified facts are age 24, height 180 cm, number 12, and a right-footed defensive role.
His World Cup 2026 role depends on Haiti’s final squad balance. Still, his club form and tactical flexibility make him a realistic wide-defensive option. The updated record removes weak placeholders and gives readers a clear football profile.
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