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 | 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 | 7 | (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). | |||
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
- ↑ http://www.ligue1.com/joueur/tuiloma-bill-poni
- ↑ "Football: Tuiloma's heady journey". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
- ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8973081/Oui-oui-Kiwi-teen-Tuiloma-signs-for-Marseille/
- ↑ http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2013/12/29/an-interview-with-bill-tuiloma/
- ↑ http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/tuiloma-makes-marseille-debut/
- ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9291179/Tuiloma-impresses-on-debut-earns-playoff-spot
External links
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