Willie Isa is a former professional Rugby player turned player support and development officer for Premier League club Chelsa, find out more below
Isa moved to Stamford Bridge following a decorated 17-year playing career that ended earlier this year in January 2025.
Who is ex-rugby player Willie Isa, Chelsea’s player-support and development officer: Bio, age, height, girlfriend and net worth
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During his time as a player, Isa spent most of his career with the Wigan Warriors, where he won multiple titles and built a reputation as a leader.
Willie Isa at Chelsea
Following his retirement from professional Rugby in January 2025, Willie Isa joined Chelsea Football Club as a player support and development officer. In his current role, he is involved in day-to-day coordination around training and match-day logistics, alongside player welfare. According to Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet, Isa is a “cultural architect,” and he further praised his leadership and ability to improve the people and environment around him.
Willie Isa biography and age
Willie Isa might be the best signing of the Clearlake era 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/1a3J8iGMp4
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) June 2, 2025
Willie Isa is a former professional Samoan Rugby player who was born on January 1, 1989, in Auckland, New Zealand. Isa moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was just one year old. He is now currently 36 years old, and he began his rugby journey with junior club St. Mary’s Saints. He later attended St. Dominic’s College in Penrith, where he played for the Penrith Panthers. His net worth isn’t known though.
Height and weight
Willie Isa stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall and weighs 97 kilograms (15 st 4 lb).
Nationality and ethnicity
Willie Isa is of Samoan descent and represents Samoa at the international level. Isa is a New Zealand national.
Rugby career and stats
Willie Issa (Retired rugby league star and our current player support and development officer) 💪🏻💙
byu/FabulousStructure912 inchelseafc
As a professional rugby player, Willie Isa played in both the NRL and Super League, starting his career in 2008. He was known for both his defensive grit and adaptability, and he played for clubs like Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm, Castleford Tigers, Widnes Vikings, and Wigan Warriors. Given below are his career stats:
WILLIE ISA 🫡🏆💙 pic.twitter.com/AGUf8lqdLi
— Chelsea Photos (@ChelseaInPhotos) July 15, 2025
| Years | Club | Appearances | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
| 2008 | Penrith Panthers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–2010 | Melbourne Storm | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2011 | Castleford Tigers | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2012–2015 | Widnes Vikings | 87 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2016–2024 | Wigan Warriors | 209 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 68 |
| Total | 313 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 116 |
Wife and children
Willie Isa is woman footballer Gemma Bonner who is his longtime girlfriend but the two are yet to get married and don’t have any children together.
Willie Isa has an Instagram account with the handle @isa_willie, where he has over 19K followers and 216 posts.
Ex-England midfielder Izzy Christiansen:
🗣 "They [Chelsea] brought in Willie Isa, who has a rugby league background. I would describe him as a cultural architect. Somebody who knows culture in sport and how to proverbially 'sweep the shed'.
It doesn't surprise me they now have… pic.twitter.com/rmFBO5gE0B
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) July 15, 2025