Bill Tuiloma Profile, Stats and Career
Bill Tuiloma is an experienced New Zealand defender who now plays for Wellington Phoenix. He returned home in January 2026 after long spells in France and Major League Soccer. This article covers Bill Tuiloma’s age, club status, stats, market value, salary status, and international record.
Quick Answer
Bill Poni Tuiloma is a New Zealand centre-back from Auckland. Wellington Phoenix signed him on a two-and-a-half-year deal in January 2026, so he came back to domestic football after MLS years with Portland Timbers and Charlotte FC. New Zealand Football listed him on 45 caps and four goals in March 2026, yet he did not make the final 26-man World Cup squad announced on May 14, 2026.
Bill Tuiloma Personal Info and Career Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bill Poni Tuiloma |
| Date of birth | 27 March 1995 |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Height | 178 cm / 1.78 m |
| Weight | 79 kg |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Wellington Phoenix |
| Jersey number | 28 |
| Weekly salary | Will be updated soon |
| Estimated net worth | Will be updated soon |
Early Life and Background
Tuiloma grew up in Auckland and built his youth path with Birkenhead United, Asia Pacific Football Academy, and Waitakere United. That mix gave him academy coaching and senior exposure at a young age. Marseille then signed him in 2013, so his pro route started in Europe instead of New Zealand.
His family background also shaped his identity. Tuiloma is of Samoan heritage, and he reached New Zealand youth sides before his senior breakthrough. France tested his tactical discipline early, while New Zealand kept him grounded in international football.
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Marseille gave Tuiloma a hard first step. He became the first New Zealander to play in Ligue 1 when he debuted in early 2015. A later loan to Strasbourg added more senior minutes, and that period prepared him for a long move into MLS.
He also stayed close to New Zealand age-group teams through that period. Tuiloma captained the Junior All Whites and built tournament experience before his senior international debut. That pattern made him one of the more travelled defenders in the national pool.
Transfer News and Market Value
Wellington Phoenix announced Tuiloma in January 2026 and confirmed a deal through 2028. That move ended his Charlotte FC spell and brought him into New Zealand club football for the first time. The transfer mattered because Phoenix added an established All Whites defender in the middle of the season.
Public player databases place Bill Tuiloma around the EUR400,000 mark in 2026. That value fits a veteran defender with recent MLS minutes and a fresh A-League contract. He is no longer inside the premium MLS bracket, yet he still carries clear senior value in the regional market.
Bill Tuiloma Salary and Net Worth
No reliable public contract database shows Tuiloma’s active Wellington Phoenix wage. MLS salary records covered parts of his United States career, yet no trusted 2026 weekly figure is available for his current deal. His salary will be updated soon.
No verified public source confirms Bill Tuiloma’s personal net worth either. He has spent years in France, MLS, and the A-League, yet no audited figure has been published. His net worth will be updated soon.
Bill Tuiloma Club Career
Tuiloma’s club career has crossed France, the United States, and New Zealand. Marseille gave him the initial breakthrough, Strasbourg added development minutes, and Portland Timbers turned him into a regular senior defender. Charlotte FC followed before his return home with Wellington Phoenix.
Early clubs and development
Marseille used Tuiloma in the first team and reserve structure between 2013 and 2017. Strasbourg then took him on loan for the 2015-16 season, where he contributed to a Championnat National title. That stage mattered because he handled European promotion pressure before moving to MLS.
Portland Timbers signed him in 2017, and he stayed there through 2023. Club records show 120 appearances across six seasons, plus ten goals and four league assists in first-team play. He also won the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament with Portland.
Current club and recent form
Charlotte FC used Tuiloma in 37 matches before his Wellington return. Phoenix then threw him straight into the A-League run-in, and the official club stats page lists 14 matches, 1,072 minutes, 12 starts, and one goal in 2025-26. Those numbers show he became a real rotation piece quickly.
His recent club story also links to the wider New Zealand World Cup 2026 squad picture, even though he missed the final 26-man list. Readers tracking other experienced defenders can also compare him with Winston Reid and current right-back Tim Payne.
Bill Tuiloma Stats and Performance
The record shows a defender who scores more than many centre-backs. Portland gave him the longest run, Charlotte gave him fresh MLS minutes, and Wellington has used him in 2026. Assists data is still thin outside the most visible league records, so unclear entries stay marked.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Strasbourg | 9 | 0 | yet to be confirmed |
| 2017-23 | Portland Timbers | 120 | 10 | 4 |
| 2023-25 | Charlotte FC | 37 | yet to be confirmed | yet to be confirmed |
| 2025-26 | Wellington Phoenix | 14 | 1 | yet to be confirmed |
International Career
Tuiloma has spent more than a decade inside the All Whites setup. He debuted against Trinidad and Tobago in October 2013 and later played at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. New Zealand Football still viewed him as a senior option in March 2026, when it listed him on 45 caps and four goals.
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
Bill Tuiloma also captained New Zealand youth sides before his senior rise. He played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2011 and the FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2013 and 2015. Yet the main senior note in 2026 is that he missed the final World Cup squad after being part of the March camp.
| National Team | Caps | Goals | Tournament Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 45 | 4 | 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, OFC Nations Cup 2016 winner, March 2026 international window |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Tuiloma plays as an aggressive centre-back who likes first contact. He attacks aerial balls, steps into midfield duels, and can strike from distance when space opens. Coaches have also used him as a defensive midfielder because he can hit longer passes under pressure.
Position, role, and standout qualities
His best role comes in central defence, where he can defend the box and attack set pieces. Tuiloma’s frame is not towering, yet he competes hard and reads second balls well. He also brings senior dressing-room value after years in MLS and national-team camps.
Honours and Trophies
| Honour | Team | Season or Year |
|---|---|---|
| MLS is Back Tournament | Portland Timbers | 2020 |
| OFC Nations Cup | New Zealand | 2016 |
| OFC U-20 Championship | New Zealand U20 | 2013 |
| OFC U-17 Championship | New Zealand U17 | 2011 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bill Tuiloma is 31 years old and he represents New Zealand. He was born on March 27, 1995, in Auckland.
He plays for Wellington Phoenix in the 2025-26 season. The club announced him in January 2026 on a deal that runs through 2028.
No. New Zealand Football included him in the March 2026 squad, yet the final 26-man World Cup squad announced on May 14, 2026 did not include his name.
He is a front-foot centre-back who attacks headers and likes to step into duels. Coaches also trust his long passing and his threat from set pieces.
No verified public source confirms Bill Tuiloma’s active Phoenix salary or personal net worth. Both figures will be updated soon when a reliable financial source appears.
Conclusion
Bill Tuiloma still carries value because his career spans Ligue 1, MLS, and the All Whites. Wellington Phoenix gave him a homecoming move in 2026, while New Zealand still viewed him as a live senior option in March. His World Cup omission did not erase the wider record. It simply left him on the edge of the final squad picture.