Real reasons Inter Milan signed Toni Payne as Super Falcons star begins new Serie A chapter

Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne has completed a permanent move to Italian giants Inter Milan Women after leaving English Women’s Super League club Everton at the end of her contract, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigerian international has signed a two-year deal that will keep her at the Serie A Femminile club until June 30, 2028. It is another major step in a career that has taken her across four of Europe’s top football leagues.

Payne joins Inter on a free transfer after her Everton contract expired following the end of last season. Speaking after the announcement, the 31-year-old said she is excited to begin a new chapter in her career and is looking forward to competing for major trophies in one of Europe’s fastest-growing women’s leagues.

The move comes just days before Payne links up with the Super Falcons for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria will attempt to win another continental title.

Her arrival also increases the number of Nigerian players competing in Italy’s top women’s division, giving the Super Falcons another representative in one of Europe’s leading leagues.

Payne: A career built across Europe

Payne arrives in Italy with years of experience at club and international level. Her European journey began with Dutch club Ajax during the 2017/18 season, where she helped the team win the Eredivisie title before earning a move to Spanish side Sevilla.

The midfielder spent six successful seasons at Sevilla between 2018 and 2024, making 168 league appearances and scoring 30 goals.

She then moved to Everton in England ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Across two seasons in the Women’s Super League, Payne featured in 41 matches and became an important member of the squad thanks to her ability to play in midfield, on the wings or further forward.

During the 2025/26 WSL season, she played 19 of Everton’s 22 league matches, making 13 starts and six substitute appearances while spending 1,077 minutes on the pitch. Although she did not score in the league, Payne provided two assists, finishing as the club’s joint-leading assist provider during the campaign.

Her biggest moment came on December 7, 2025, when she set up Honoka Hayashi for the only goal in Everton’s famous 1-0 victory over Chelsea. The result ended Chelsea’s remarkable 34-match unbeaten run, the longest unbeaten streak in Women’s Super League history.

Everton eventually finished eighth in the 12-team league after an inconsistent campaign. The club also experienced changes off the pitch when manager Brian Sørensen left in February 2026, with assistant coach Scott Phelan taking charge on an interim basis for the rest of the season.

Inter’s ambitions and why Payne fits perfectly

Payne joins an Inter Milan side full of confidence after an impressive 2025/26 Serie A Femminile season under coach Gianpiero Piovani.

The Nerazzurre finished second in the league with 44 points from 22 matches, recording 13 wins, five draws and only four defeats. Their runners-up finish secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Inter also boasted one of the most dangerous attacks in the league, scoring 49 goals to finish as the joint-highest scorers alongside champions Roma. During the campaign, they produced an eight-match winning streak and celebrated an emphatic 5-1 away victory over city rivals AC Milan.

Belgian striker Tessa Wullaert led the attack with 14 league goals, while Haley Bugeja added eight more. Payne is expected to strengthen that forward line with her pace, creativity and ability to create chances for teammates. With Payne, Inter will aim to win the league title for the first time in their 7-year history.

One of her biggest strengths is her versatility. She can play as a winger, attacking midfielder, forward or even as a wing-back if required. That flexibility gives Piovani more tactical options during matches, especially in Inter’s preferred 3-5-2 system.

Her experience in the Netherlands, Spain, England and with Nigeria also makes her a valuable addition as Inter prepare to compete in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Payne has represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Olympic Games and played an important role in the Super Falcons’ successful 2024 WAFCON campaign.

Now, after building her reputation in three different European leagues, she begins another exciting challenge in Italy. With WAFCON 2026 approaching and Champions League football waiting later in the year, the experienced Super Falcons star will hope her move to Inter Milan becomes the next successful chapter of an already impressive career.