Football: All Whites star Bill Tuiloma re-signs with Portland Timbers

Bill Tuiloma. Photo / Photosport.

All Whites midfielder Bill Tuiloma has done enough to earn another season at Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers.

Tuiloma made 11 appearances for the club's second team last season after ending four years with French Ligue 1 giants Marseille last July.

The 22-year-old, who can also cover centreback, will hope for first team opportunities after Portland released American Amobi Okugo, who plays a similar role.

Capped 23 times by New Zealand since making his international debut in 2013, Tuiloma will be joined in Portland by fellow Kiwi Jake Gleeson.

27-year-old Gleeson has been a goalkeeper for the Timbers since 2011, and has made 61 appearances and 13 clean sheets in all competitions since signing for the club from ISPS Handa Premiership side Team Wellington.

Tuiloma and Gleeson join a growing number of New Zealanders in North America's premier domestic football league.

All Whites Tommy Smith, Kip Colvey, Deklan Wynne (all Colorado Rapids), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), James Musa (Sporting Kansas City), Stefan Marinovic, and Myer Bevan (both Vancouver Whitecaps) all ply their trade in the USA and Canada, while former All Whites coach Anthony Hudson recently took over the managerial duties of Colorado.