Many wonder where William Troost Ekong is from and details about his family, including his wife, parents, and children. If you’re among the fans curious about his age, salary, and net worth, this biography provides details about his birthplace, brothers, sisters, spouse, and career achievements.
William Troost Ekong Biography
On a quiet September morning in 1993, William Paul Troost-Ekong was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother, Eleanore, and a Nigerian father. From that, you can see that he must have grown up with two cultures and two languages. Football, for William, was it—and today, he captains the Nigeria national team. The Super Eagles look to him not only for defensive role but for composure under pressure.
And outside kicking the round leather, he is the founder of the Troost-Ekong Foundation, where he nurtures African youths through football and education.
From canals in the Netherlands to stadiums in Saudi Arabia, you will get to know every inch of this Eagles’ biography shortly.
Early Life and Education
In Troost-Ekong’s house in the Netherlands, his mother taught them intellectual curiosity, while his father imparted the Nigerian culture. William, along with his siblings Emily and Everest, just had to adopt these influences too.
He got educated in England at Hockerill Anglo-European College, yet football was his priority.
And so, he joined the Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur youth teams, where he did his football trials. There were peers of his who were equally hungry for the same recognition he was gunning for during his formative years.
Statistics weren’t the only thing he had to get; he had to find temperament too, as football demands intelligence as much as skill.
Club Career
Netherlands
At 20, William got his senior debut with FC Groningen. But a loan to FC Dordrecht gave him the much-needed experience in competitive football. Upon his return, he was given a chance in Groningen’s defence and made 22 appearances for the 2014–15 season.
Observers noted his maturity, his calmness, which made his young age irrelevant.
Norway
In July 2015, Belgian side KAA Gent signed him, but again, he was immediately loaned to FK Haugesund in Norway. After two seasons in the Eliteserien, William made 37 appearances and scored four goals. He is just a centre-back, remember, so that goal tally is not bad. After all, this was the league where he got to hone his ability to lead a backline and organise teammates.
Turkey
Bursaspor brought a new challenge with it when he arrived there in 2017. You know how the Süper Lig can get with its fans and passion. In over 28 appearances, William scored three goals and did very well in tackling, positioning, and aerial duels. He was not merely a defender; he controlled games, of course, from the back.
Italy – Udinese
Udinese beckoned in 2018. As we all know, Serie A is a league that tests defenders’ ruthlessness. This is a prerequisite. Still, William flourished, making 65 appearances over two seasons. His best matches were those against AC Milan and Juventus, where his side was victorious. These games showed his positional intelligence and composure, turning possible chaos into calm. When he was in Italy, he was a defender and a tactician. He was a player who influenced games without drawing attention.
England – Watford
September 2020 saw him move to Watford after signing a five-year deal. Championship football is not easy too, but William adapted and scored his first goal against Coventry City in a 3–2 win. In his three seasons, he accumulated 64 appearances and two goals.
Italy – Salernitana (loan)
A brief 2023 loan to Salernitana allowed him to remain in Serie A, where he made nine appearances and scored one goal.
Greece – PAOK
Later in 2023, he joined PAOK permanently, playing 22 matches in domestic and European competitions. He was instrumental in PAOK’s Super League Greece 2023–24 title. The ability to integrate into new cultures was proven while still giving fans a good performance.
Saudi Arabia – Al-Kholood
In August 2024, William embarked on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia with Al-Kholood. By the 2025–26 season, he had made 42 appearances and scored twice, so far, that is.
International Career
Youth Representation
Williams started playing international football with the Netherlands U19 and U20 teams. At that point, he had understood and experienced what international football demands.
Senior Nigeria Debut and Early Years
He, however, chose to play his senior career with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, debuting on 13 June 2015 against Chad in an AFCON qualifier. That match, and the seasons that followed, were how he won over the hearts of Nigerian fans and became the Super Eagles’ defence cornerstone.
In 2016, he participated in senior matches and was included in Nigeria U23’s provisional squad for the Rio Olympics, where they won bronze.
This, you’ll agree with me, is a player who can combine leadership and intelligence.
Major Tournaments
Over the years, William became Nigeria’s defensive master. He featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2019 AFCON—where he scored a decisive winner against South Africa—and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (held in 2022), captaining the team and scoring against Guinea-Bissau.
The 2022 World Cup qualification eluded him and the rest of the team, as a penalty against Ghana was not enough to secure Qatar.
Redemption came at the 2023 AFCON. William scored in the group stages and during the knockout matches. He even scored penalties against South Africa and Ivory Coast, and netted the opener in the final. Despite Nigeria finishing runner-up, he won Player of the Tournament and set a record for the most goals scored by a defender in AFCON history.
Career Statistics
- Club: 326 appearances, 13 goals across all competitions.
- International: 82 caps, 8 goals.
A career that brought occasional and decisive goals.
Honours and Achievements
Club
PAOK: Super League Greece 2023–24.
International
- Nigeria U23: Olympic Bronze Medal 2016.
- Nigeria: AFCON runner-up 2023, third place 2019.
Individual
AFCON Player of the Tournament 2023.
AFCON Team of the Tournament 2023.
Orders
Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Off-field Work
The Troost-Ekong Foundation is William’s way of giving back to empower youth across Nigeria and Africa through football and education. He’s always believed that talent is nothing without guidance, opportunity, and the courage to lift others.
William Troost Ekong Marriage, Wife & Children
Molly Troost-Ekong is the wife of the Nigerian captain. They began dating over seven years ago, likely during his early European career, and married on 17 October 2021 in a London ceremony attended by family, friends, and teammates, with Nigerian singer Lojay performing.
Their son, Oscar, was born in 2018, and their daughter, Zara, was born in 2019. They arrived before their wedding. Despite William’s career in Europe and now Saudi Arabia, he doesn’t joke with his family. Molly is a lady who likes to keep a low profile.
Salary & Net Worth
William’s contract with Al-Kholood runs until June 30, 2026, and earns €4,528,766 in 2024–25 (approximately €94,349 weekly, or £53,000 per week), which will total €9,057,532 after two years.
He captains the team and has contributed both defensively and offensively, despite sustaining an injury in February.
Troost-Ekong and Kevin N’Doram are Al-Kholood’s top earners. His salary has grown throughout his career from €80,000 at FC Dordrecht to €4,528,766 at Al-Kholood, with a peak market value of €5 million and a net worth of £7,768,800.
