Bill Tuiloma

Bill Poni Tuiloma (born 27 March 1995) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for A-League Men club Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national team.

Tuiloma has represented New Zealand internationally since 2013, and was the first New Zealander to play in Ligue 1, the highest division of French football.

Early life Born in Beach Haven, New Zealand, Tuiloma is of Samoan descent. He attended Birkdale Intermediate, Birkenhead College and Lincoln High School. He was part of the first intake of players to be invited to the Asia Pacific Football Academy which worked with Chelsea FC.

Club career

Marseille Following trials with LA Galaxy and Queens Park Rangers, Tuiloma signed a deal with French side Olympique de Marseille in July 2013.

Tuiloma admitted that Queens Park Rangers and Wellington Phoenix were also interested in signing him but preferred to sign for OM.

Tuiloma made his first-team debut for the club on 7 February 2015, when he came on as a late substitute for Florian Thauvin in a 2–2 draw with Rennes. Upon making his debut he became the first New Zealander ever to play in Ligue 1. It was one of only two senior appearances he made, however, before signing on loan for Strasbourg for the 2015–16 season, and then permanently for Portland Timbers in 2017.

Portland Timbers On 25 July 2017, Tuiloma officially signed with MLS side Portland Timbers. The Timbers resigned Tuiloma on 24 January 2018. During the 2023 season, he made 19 MLS appearances (15 starts) and also featured in the Leagues Cup.

On 21 November 2025, it was announced that Tuiloma's optional contract extension had been declined by the club.

Wellington Phoenix

On 8 January 2026, Tuiloma returned to play in New Zealand for the first time in over 12 years, being announced as Wellington Phoenix's newest signing, agreeing to a contract running until 2028.

International career Tuiloma represented New Zealand under-17 at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and New Zealand under-20, for whom he was also the captain, at the 2013 and 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cups.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals + List of international goals scored by Bill TuilomaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1. 9 October 2021 Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain 1–0 2–1 Friendly 2. 24 March 2022 Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar 5–1 7–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 30 March 2022 Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar 1–0 5–0 4. 4–0

Honours Waitakere United New Zealand Football Championship: 2011–12

Strasbourg

New Zealand OFC Nations Cup: 2016 OFC U-20 Championship: 2013 OFC U-17 Championship: 2011