New Zealand defender Tim Payne has signed a one-year contract with Paraguayan club Olimpia that will start after New Zealand’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada [1, 2, 3]. Payne, 32, previously played for Wellington Phoenix before agreeing to the move [1, 2, 3].
Olimpia is Paraguay’s only three-time Copa Libertadores champion and recently qualified for the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana as winners of Group G. The club also secured a spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores by winning the domestic Apertura title [1, 2, 3].
Speculation about Payne’s transfer started on June 15 when Olimpia posted an Instagram message featuring a New Zealand flag and a flexed-biceps emoji minutes before New Zealand’s Group G opener against Iran, which ended in a 2-2 draw [1, 2, 3]. The next day, June 16, it was confirmed Payne had signed the deal to join the Paraguayan club after the World Cup [1, 2, 3].
Payne has also gained international attention off the pitch. He rose to viral fame after an Argentine influencer launched a social media campaign calling him the least-known player at the World Cup and encouraging fans to follow him. As a result, Payne’s Instagram following jumped from fewer than 5,000 to about 5.8 million [1, 2, 3].
Malay Mail reported Payne’s transfer confirmation on June 17 [3]. Payne will join Olimpia once New Zealand’s 2026 World Cup run concludes.
