Nigeria Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne has expressed her excitement over her recent transfer to Everton, just days after parting ways with Sevilla, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
During her unveiling at Goodison Park on Friday, the 29-year-old versatile player, who can also play as a striker, shared her enthusiasm about fulfilling her dream to play in the UK.
“I’m super excited to be an Everton player. It’s been my dream to play in the UK and in such a strong league like the WSL,” Payne told Everton TV. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to play at a club like Everton with so much history in football.”
Payne emphasized that the timing was perfect for a new challenge. “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. I’m impressed with how the league is investing in teams and the league itself,” she continued.
She also highlighted the rapid growth of the league and her eagerness to be part of it. “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 and 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.”
Everton’s head coach, Brian Sørensen, expressed his satisfaction with the signing, describing Payne as the type of player the team needs. “I’m extremely happy to bring Toni to the club. She is exactly the type of player we need. I’m 100 percent confident Toni can fit right into our team and into this league because she has a wealth of experience, not only from Spain but also for the Nigeria national team.”
He praised her versatility and intelligence on the field. “She can play multiple positions and is an intelligent player who is really fast. She is a player without any injury history, too, so we are confident she will be a big success for us.”
Payne, who joins Everton after a six-year stint with Sevilla, has 21 caps for Nigeria and was part of the Super Falcons squad that competed at the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. She will also be a key player for Nigeria in the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
