Wellington Phoenix defender Tim Payne has resisted the lure of a new A-League team in his hometown, recommitting to the capital club for a further three years.
The All Whites star has become a mainstay of of the Phoenix line-up since his 2019 debut, logging more than a century of games for the club, and now becomes the 16th player contracted beyond the current season.
The born-and-bred Aucklander admits the introduction of Auckland FC into the Australian competition opened up the possibility of a return north, closer to home.
"It's an interesting one," he conceded." Auckland FC are doing fantastically well at the moment, so there's that aspect, and I have a lot of friends and family up there.
"It’s a good thing for us players that there are now two professional clubs in New Zealand, but I've weighed up all possibilities, all of the pros and cons, and I think the Phoenix is a very good place for me at the moment."
A key to his success in recent seasons, including selection to the 2023/24 Professional Footballers Australia Team of the Season, has been the ability to consolidate his spot at right-back in the Phoenix defensive formation.
"I'm enjoying playing right back a lot," said Payne. "Prolonged time in one position has probably helped me push forward and play better.
"I think my performances last season and the start of this season have shown that."
That form has seen him become a regular All Whites selection over the past 12 years, with the very real prospect of a World Cup appearance on the horizon.
"It has been one of our priorities to re-sign Payney," said Phoenix football director Shaun Gill. "He’s a key member of the starting XI and an important part of the dressing room, and we didn’t want to lose him.
"I'm thrilled we’re going to get to continue to see Payney bombing up and down the right flank for the 'Nix, and I’m looking forward to seeing him score and create more goals for the Phoenix over the next three-and-a-half years."
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