English club Everton Women announced on Friday the signing of Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne.
Payne joins Everton as a free agent, following the conclusion of her six-year tenure with Spanish side Sevilla last month.
During her tenure with Sevilla, Payne netted 30 goals and contributed 21 assists in 169 appearances across all competitions. in the just ended season, she featured in 30 matches, scoring six goals from her midfield role and providing four assists.
The 29-year-old midfielder is the first summer signing for Brian Sorensen’s side, as they aim to bolster their squad depth. Everton finished eighth in the 12-team league, accumulating 23 points in the 2023/24 season.
Toni Payne shares excitement after joining Everton
“I'm super excited to be an Everton player,” Payne told the club's official website. “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.”
The Super Falcons midfielder further highlighted the rapid development within the league and Everton's growth.
“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. You can see just how much the players are growing here at Everton.
“I think this is going to be a great fit for me because that's what I want. I want to grow, I want to improve, and this is the perfect place for me to achieve that. I'm impressed with the way we play. I think it fits my style and how I want to play. I cannot wait to get started.”
Payne has earned 21 caps for Nigeria. She was part of the Nigerian squad that fought valiantly at last summer's FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and is a member of Randy Waldrum's team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
