Riestra move for Tim Payne, viral Kiwi who lit up the World Cup | OneFootball

Riestra acknowledged that the interest is there, but the main obstacle is getting in touch with the New Zealand national team player.

Deportivo Riestra is exploring the possibility of signing Tim Payne, the New Zealand national team defender who in recent days has become a social media phenomenon. The idea exists within the club, although for now the main obstacle is making direct contact with the player and moving forward with concrete negotiations.

The club admitted that the interest is on the table, although they also acknowledged that the deal appears complex at this early stage. For now, efforts are focused on trying to establish communication with the player, an essential condition to assess whether the project can move forward.

Payne’s possible arrival would fit the profile of disruptive moves that have characterized Riestra in recent years. However, unlike other actions tied to media impact, such as streamer Spreen’s appearance in a match against Vélez, this time it involves a professional footballer with international experience who could formally join the squad.

The 32-year-old New Zealand defender currently plays for Wellington Phoenix and is a regular member of his national team. His name gained huge global attention ahead of the 2026 World Cup after an Argentine influencer launched a search to find the least famous player at the World Cup. At that time, Payne had just over 5,000 followers on social media.

The initiative went viral and completely changed the player’s level of exposure. In a matter of weeks, he went from being a player virtually unknown outside Oceania to amassing millions of followers. His account currently has more than five million followers, and his popularity has multiplied internationally.

Throughout his career, Payne has worn the shirts of Auckland City, Waitakere United, Eastern Suburbs, and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. He also had spells with Blackburn Rovers in England and Portland Timbers 2 in the United States. Meanwhile, Riestra is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating the possibility of completing one of the most eye-catching moves in the Argentine market.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.