“New Zealand and Paraguay. From the other side of the world to the most glorious club in Paraguay. Welcome to the Dean, Tim!” wrote the Asuncion club on its social network account X, ratifying the information that local media had published at the beginning of the week.
Olimpia is the winningest club in Paraguay and this Thursday, June 18, it also announced the hiring of Argentine attacker Braian Romero. In its showcases, the team from the Paraguayan capital has three Copa Libertadores titles, the most recent won in 2002.
Payne immediately reacted to the announcement, calling his signing “a great decision” for his family and his career. “As a footballer, you always want to compete at the highest level. Having the opportunity to play for Olimpia, the biggest club in Paraguay, is a great challenge and I can’t wait,” he said in a video posted on his social networks, which included Spanish subtitles.
“I’m ready,” he concluded his message in Spanish.
This season, the fringe team is qualified for the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana, where it awaits the rival that will emerge from the playoff series between the Brazilian Vasco da Gama and the Colombian Deportivo Independiente MedellΓn.
Payne, who days before the World Cup gained millions of followers on social networks after a challenge promoted by an influencer, debuted on Monday in soccer’s biggest event during the 2-2 draw between New Zealand and Iran.
The right back played 78 minutes and committed a foul in that match, in which he did not take part in any outstanding actions in any of the areas.
Tim Payne, a versatile defender
Born in Auckland in 1994, Timothy John Payne began his training at Auckland City before making the jump to England, where he came through the youth ranks of Blackburn Rovers and made appearances with the first team.
He later played in the United States and returned to Oceanic football, where he ended up establishing himself at Wellington Phoenix, the only New Zealand club that competes in the A-League, the highest category of Australian football.
Usually as a right back, although he can also play as a central defender, Payne debuted with the New Zealand team at just 18 years old and, over time, became one of the most experienced players on the national team.