😳 New Zealander Tim Payne joins Copa Sul-Americana side, Sky says | OneFootball

Two weeks ago, few people outside New Zealand knew who right-back Tim Payne was.

After going viral on social media thanks to an Argentine influencer, he went from having fewer than 5,000 followers to more than 5 million, and has now landed an unlikely new team: Olimpia of Paraguay.

According to Sky Sports, Payne has signed with the Paraguayan side, which is in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 and could face Vasco after the tournament.

Payne, 32, has played for Wellington Phoenix of New Zealand since 2019. Before that, the most prominent club of his career was Blackburn of England, where he turned professional.

For New Zealand, he played this Monday in the 2-2 draw against Iran.

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