A Kiwi teenager has reportedly signed for French giants Marseille - a move his coach says may be the biggest-ever by a New Zealand footballer.

Bill Tuiloma, 18, played his final game yesterday for Auckland club Birkenhead United and was due to fly to France today to sign a two-year deal with Marseille. Tuiloma, a New Zealand under-20 international, didn't want to talk without his agent's permission, but Birkenhead's director of football, Paul Hobson, confirmed the move.

"I do think it is the biggest-ever signing out of New Zealand: Marseilles are massive - it's like someone going to England and signing for Arsenal," Hobson said. "It's a big jump, but I guess they wouldn't sign him if they didn't think he could play."

It's understood the Wellington Phoenix were waiting in the wings if the Marseille deal fell through. Olympique Marseille have won the French national title nine times and the European Champions League in 1993, and play in a 60,031 capacity stadium.

Tuiloma, usually a centreback, played for New Zealand at both the under-17 and under-20 World Cups, has trialled with the LA Galaxy and spent time with the Asia Pacific Football Academy in Christchurch.

Hobson first coached Tuiloma as an 8-year-old. "He had loads of ability from the word go. He's the only player I've ever known that you could put in any single position, apart from goalkeeper, and he would be pretty much the best player on the pitch. He makes things look effortless, he's got so much time, he's a natural player."

Tuiloma scored twice in his farewell game, a 2-3 away defeat in yesterday's Chatham Cup tie at Hamilton's Melville United, and Hobson says it is typical he would squeeze a final club game in. "When a player signs for a club, there's often a hint of jealousy, but not with Bill, he's such a lovely kid. His parents have kept him well-grounded and seeing him sign is just the nicest thing you could wish for anyone."