Tim Payne confirmed to Sth America transfer
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The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed the release of 32-year-old New Zealand defender Tim Payne.
The Phoenix have accepted an undisclosed fee from Club Olimpia for the All Whites fullback to join the 48-time Paraguay champions.
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Payne played in the All Whites opening World Cup game against Iran and not long after reports surfaced that he was heading to South America.
"This wasn't an easy decision," Payne said in a Phoenix statement.
The transfer is subject to Payne completing a medical following the World Cup.
Payne had already hit the headlines before the World Cup when his social media sky-rocketed after he was publicised by an Argentinean influencer.
Payne leaves the Phoenix as the seventh most capped player in club history, having made 149 A-League appearances since arriving in Wellington in 2019.
"I've always pushed myself to be the best footballer I can be. The opportunity to test myself at the very top of South American football in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana is one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional."
"Opportunities like this don't come around often, and we're not taking it for granted."
The All Whites play Egypt in their second World Cup game on Monday after a 2-2 draw with Iran in game one.