WELLINGTON, New Zealand — In a career turn that traces back to an unexpected viral spotlight during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, New Zealand men’s soccer defender Tim Payne has formally confirmed he will continue his professional career at one of South America’s most storied clubs, Paraguay’s Club Olimpia, on a one-year contract.
Payne’s rapid rise from relative obscurity to global social media fame began when Argentine soccer influencer Valen Scarsini, known publicly by his handle El Scarso, highlighted him during the World Cup as the tournament participant with the smallest personal social media following. At the time, the defender had only 4,700 followers on his Instagram account. Within days of the influencer’s video going viral, that number skyrocketed to 5.8 million, turning Payne into an overnight name among soccer fans worldwide.
This sudden surge in global profile caught the attention of professional clubs across multiple South American nations and North America, with sides from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Mexico all registering formal interest in securing Payne’s signature. On Friday, Payne verified an earlier report from the Associated Press confirming his deal with the Paraguayan giants, closing out a seven-year tenure with Australia’s A-League side Wellington Phoenix, where he made 149 first-team appearances.
Reflecting on his departure from the only professional club he had called home for nearly a decade, Payne called the choice to move a difficult one. “To the fans, my teammates, and all those who have supported me throughout my career, through the highs and the lows, thank you,” he said in a statement Friday. “Without you I would not be here representing my country at the World Cup — the very pinnacle of the sport.”
For Payne, the move to Club Olimpia represents a long-sought chance to test his abilities against elite competition outside of Oceania and Australia. “I’ve always pushed myself to be the best footballer I can be,” he explained. “To test myself at the very top of South American football, competing in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, is one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional.”
Club Olimpia is no stranger to continental success, most recently claiming its 48th Paraguayan Primera Apertura title, cementing its status as one of the most decorated clubs in South American soccer. Payne highlighted the club’s legacy as a core reason he jumped at the opportunity. “Club Olimpia is one of the biggest clubs in South America, with an incredible history, passionate supporters and ambitions that match its stature,” Payne said. “I am looking forward to rising to that challenge.”