Ben Old
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Benjamin Craig Old (born 13 August 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Ligue 2 club Saint-Étienne and the New Zealand national team.
Early life
Old began his sports career as a golfer; he was given his first golf club when he was two. Old was considered a former child golf prodigy, playing in his first international golf tournament at the age of seven. He had travelled to the United States to play against other child prodigies from around the world in Las Vegas, Pinehurst and San Diego.
Club career
Wellington Phoenix
Old originally lived in Auckland before he moved to Wellington and joined the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in 2018. While not an official member of Wellington Phoenix's senior squad, Old had trained with the team before they went to Australia. Old joined the team again for training when they returned, making his debut as a substitute in the Phoenix's 3–0 win over Western United and nutmegging his defender with his first touch.
Old scored his first goal for the Wellington Phoenix during a 3–0 victory over the Brisbane Roar on 30 March 2022.
Saint-Étienne
On 9 July 2024, Old signed for Ligue 1 club Saint-Étienne on a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year.
On 17 August 2024, Old played his first game with Saint-Étienne, a 0-1 defeat against AS Monaco FC in the first day of the 2024–25 Ligue 1, becoming the first New Zealander to start a game in Ligue 1, and the second to even play.
On 13 September 2024, he played his third Ligue 1 game, a 1-0 win against Lille, beating Bill Tuiloma’s tally of two games and setting a new record for a New Zealander in Ligue 1.
International career
New Zealand U-17s
Old was part of the New Zealand U-17 team that won the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship and qualified for 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. Old played in two games at the World Cup, first coming on as a sub in New Zealand's opening 1–2 loss to Angola before getting a start in the team's 1–0 win over Canada.
Olympic Games
On 25 June 2021, he was named in New Zealand reserve squad for the 2020 Olympics. Though he was actually travelled to Japan, he didn't play any game.
New Zealand
Old was named in the 30-man New Zealand squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers. He subsequently made his international debut on 19 March 2022, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute during New Zealand's 1–0 victory against Papua New Guinea in the group stage.
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 24 January 2026
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Others | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2019–20 | Premiership | 12 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 1 | |
| 2020–21 | 13 | 3 | — | — | 13 | 3 | |||
| 2021 | National League | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 4 | |
| Lower Hutt (loan) | 2021 | National League | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2020–21 | A-League Men | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |
| 2023–24 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 5 | |
| Total | 68 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 75 | 7 | |
| Saint-Étienne | 2024–25 | Ligue 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 13 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Ligue 2 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 4 | – | 18 | 5 | |
| Total | 29 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 5 | |
| Career total | 129 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 138 | 16 |
International
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 21 June 2024 | VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu | Vanuatu | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| 2. | 15 November 2025 | Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States | Colombia | 1–1 | 1–2 | Friendly |
Honours
New Zealand
Individual
External links
- at Soccerway ()
- at the New Zealand Olympic Committee
- at Olympics.com
- at Olympedia