Nigeria international, Toni Payne, has secured a significant transfer to English club Everton ahead of her participation in the Olympic Games with the Super Falcons.
The 29-year-old, who spent the last six years in Spain playing for Sevilla, becomes Everton’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
The summer has seen numerous Nigerian players making significant moves, with female athletes also securing notable transfers.
“I’m super excited to be an Everton player,” Payne told Evertontv. “It’s been my dream to play in the UK and in such a strong league like the WSL.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play at a club like Everton with so much history in football.
“Now was the right moment for me to look for another challenge to push myself.
“It’s going to be different and new, and I’m really happy about my decision.”
Payne, who has earned 21 caps for Nigeria, was part of the Super Falcons squad at the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
England narrowly eliminated Nigeria in the round of 16.
Payne shared that her experience playing against top talent in the English league increased her desire to move to Merseyside.
“I’m impressed with how the league is investing in teams and the league itself,” she continued.
“I see such a rapid growth and it’s something that I’m really excited and eager to be a part of.”
Everton’s coach, Brian Sorensen, expressed his satisfaction with Payne’s signing, noting she is an ideal addition to the team.
“I’m extremely happy to bring Toni to the Club,” Sorensen told evertonfc.com.
“She is exactly the type of player we need. I’m 100 per cent confident Toni can fit right into our team and into this league because she has a wealth of experience from Spain but also for the Nigeria national team.
“She can play multiple positions and is an intelligent player who is really fast. A player without any injury history, too, so we are confident she will be a big success for us.
“The way we play, it’s very dynamic. We don’t operate with a typical front three, it’s more so about filling the right spaces and having the ability to create opportunities. That’s where she will fit in very well.
“Toni can play across the front line and in behind but can also do combination play and drop into midfield.
“All of these qualities make her a great asset and she will be an important player for us,” he concluded.
