All Whites defender and social media sensation Tim Payne's move to South America has been confirmed.
In a statement this morning, the Wellington Phoenix said it had accepted an undisclosed fee from Paraguayan giants Club Olimpia.
"The transfer is subject to Payne completing a medical with Olimpia after the FIFA World Cup," a spokesperson for the club said.
The move comes after Payne exploded into football stardom after a shout-out from an Argentinian social media influencer saw him go from just over 4000 followers on Instagram to over 5 million.
Club Olimpia, based in the city of Asunción, are giants of the South American game, having won the Copa Libertadores three times, the Supercopa Sudamericana once, and the Paraguayan championship 48 times.
Payne said that the move "wasn't an easy decision".
"To the fans, my teammates and all those who have supported me throughout my career, the highs and the lows, thank you.
“Without you I would not be here representing my country at the World Cup – the very pinnacle of the sport."
Payne started for the All Whites in their 2-2 World Cup opener against Iran.
He is the seventh most capped Nix player, having made 149 A-League appearances since arriving in Wellington in 2019. He also has over 50 caps for his country.
Payne said the move would be an opportunity to "test myself at the very top of South American football".
He said the opportunity to play in competitions like the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana was "one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional".
“Club Olimpia is one of the biggest clubs in South America, with an incredible history, passionate supporters and ambitions that match its stature, and I am looking forward to rising to that challenge."
He said the move was "something special" for him and his partner Michelle Peters – who has Latin American roots.
"My son, growing up speaking Spanish like his mum did, immersing ourselves in her culture and her family’s world is what makes this so much more than just a football move.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and we’re not taking it for granted."
He said he was grateful for "everything" the Phoenix had given him. He said that while he was excited for the challenge, his focus was on the World Cup.
Wellington Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill thanked Payne for his contribution to the club.
“Payney has left an indelible mark on the Wellington Phoenix,” Gill said. “He has been a key member of the men’s squad for the past seven seasons and was influential in the team’s record-breaking 2023-24 campaign.
“We would have loved Payney to continue his journey with the Phoenix, and we discussed his future.
“But talking to him, it became clear this is a life-changing opportunity for Payney and his family and one he simply couldn’t turn down."
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