Bill Tuiloma


Bill Poni Tuiloma is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for A-League Men club Wellington Phoenix.
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 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 Alsace|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. He made three appearances with Portland Timbers 2 in 2017, and made his first-team debut on 24 March 2018, in a 1–1 draw with FC Dallas. The Timbers resigned Tuiloma on 24 January 2018.

Charlotte FC

On 16 February 2023, Tuiloma was acquired by Charlotte FC from the Portland Timbers in exchange for US$800,000 in General Allocation Money. During the 2023 season, he made 19 MLS appearances 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.
He made his senior international debut for New Zealand on 15 October 2013, at the age of 18, when he came on as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

Career statistics

International

International goals
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.9 October 2021Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain1–02–1Friendly
2.24 March 2022Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar5–17–12022 [FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]
3.30 March 2022Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–05–02022 FIFA [World Cup qualification (OFC)|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]
4.30 March 2022Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar4–05–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Waitakere United
Strasbourg
Portland Timbers
New Zealand