Tim Payne to join Paraguay club Olimpia from Wellington Phoenix
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 9:06 PM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
Tim Payne, the New Zealand defender who gained fame during the World Cup, will transfer to Paraguay's Olimpia. The move was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation, although financial details remain undisclosed. Payne's rise to prominence followed a campaign by influencer El Scarso, which significantly boosted his social media following. He has started in New Zealand’s opening match against Iran, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Olimpia has not yet officially announced the signing.
- •Tim Payne leaves Wellington Phoenix for Paraguayan champions Olimpia.
- •Payne became famous through a social media campaign during the World Cup.
- •His Instagram followers rose from under 5,000 to over 5.8 million.
- •He started in New Zealand's 2-2 draw against Iran on June 16.
- 9:06 PMYahoo Sports — Tim Payne, New Zealand’s viral World Cup star, to join Paraguay club Olimpia, source says
"Tim Payne, the little-known New Zealand defender who became a social media celebrity, will leave his home country to play for Paraguay's reigning champion Olimpia, a team with a long tradition in South American soccer. Payne's popularity soared after a campaign orchestrated by the Argentine influencer El Scarso, who identified Payne as the least-known player at the World Cup based on his small social media following and asked his followers to unite to make him famous. Tim Payne, from cradle to grave.
Sources
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