Bill Tuiloma

Bill Tuiloma

New Zealand All Whites defender Bill Tuiloma playing in their 2014 World Cup Qualification match against Mexico in November 2013
Personal information
Full name	Bill Poni Tuiloma
Date of birth	(1995-03-27) 27 March 1995
Place of birth	Otahuhu, New Zealand
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Full back, defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team	Strasbourg
Youth career
2011	Birkenhead United
2011	Asia–Pacific FA
2011–2012	Waitakere United
2012–2013	Birkenhead United
2012–2013	LA Galaxy
2013–	Marseille
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2011–2012	Waitakere United	1	(0)
2013–2015	Marseille B	24	(2)
2013–	Marseille	2	(0)
2015–	→ Strasbourg	6	(0)
National team‡
2011	New Zealand U-17	6	(1)
2013–2015	New Zealand U-20	9	(1)
2015	New Zealand U-23	3	(1)
2013–	New Zealand	8	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:31, 12 October 2015 (UTC). † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 July 2015

Bill Tuiloma is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a left or right fullback or defensive midfielder for Strasbourg, on loan from Marseille.^[1] Tuiloma has represented New Zealand since 2013 and is the first New Zealander to play in the top division of French football.^[2] His preferred position is defensive midfielder.

Club career

He has trialled with the LA Galaxy and Queens Park Rangers, as well as spending time with the Asia–Pacific Football Academy in Christchurch.

Marseille

Tuiloma signed a deal with Marseille in July 2013.^[3] In a 2013 interview^[4] Tuiloma was questioned about his journey from somewhat football obscurity to his eventual move to Olympique de Marseille. He stated: "I went to QPR and trialled there for a week and somehow, I think they have a connection with Marseille, because Joey Barton was with Marseille for a little while, so I think that’s where they have the connection… So I went there for a week, trialled, played a game as well, came back and got some good feedback from them, and then a few months later they wanted to sign me. I was over the moon, I was speechless, it was really good news for me". He also admitted that he had little knowledge about the club before signing, stating: "To be honest, I only knew Joey Barton played there, that was pretty much it, I didn’t know much about Marseille or who played for them, I had a little bit of info there but that was pretty much it". He also admitted that Queens Park Rangers and Wellington Phoenix were also interested in signing him if the Marseille deal fell through.

Tuiloma made his first-team debut for Marseille on February 7, 2015, when he came on as a late substitute against Rennes.^[5]

International career

Tuiloma represented New Zealand under-17 at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and New Zealand under-20 at the 2013 and 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cups.

Tuiloma made his senior international debut on October 15, 2013 as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.^[6]

Personal life

Tuiloma is of Samoan descent. He attended Lincoln High School.

References

External links

• soccerway.com profile