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Tim Payne (Club Olimpia | Paraguay)

586 replies · 130,147 views
about 2 months ago
It does indeed sound like a "life changing move" and I wish him all the best under the circumstances.  
As long as he comes back safe and in one piece after his cameo season I am all for it.


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Endorsed by
LGtheprof
about 2 months ago
Will have to keep an eye out for the 2027 Copa Libertadores draw, which Olimpia have qualified for.

They are also still going in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, CONMEBOL's 2nd tier club comp.

Into the R16 they will play the winner of a playoff between Independiente Medellín (Col) v Vasco da Gama (Bra). 

R16 tie over 2 legs H&A. So as soon as August Timmy P could have the chance to travel to either Colombia or Brazil.
I've watched 2 club games in Medellin. Mad, totally mad.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Copa_Sudamericana

Oh and the Olimpia fans may rate him more, if the Socceroos do a job on Paraguay in their last pool game. Noting that a few of the Aussie players are coming from the same club comp as Payne.
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Endorsed by
LG
about 2 months ago
observerfromuh wrote:
Watch DD blame Auckland for his transfer /s. a shame that the club did nothing much really to capatalise on his popularity. 

Even NZ Football are selling Payne 2 shirts.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said clubs began expressing interest in Payne within a week of him going viral, with Olimpia beating out as many as five South American rivals for his signature.

The Phoenix explored ways to leverage Payne’s newfound popularity, but the player ultimately decided he wanted to immerse himself in South America and make the move to Paraguay.

“It became very clear from the conversation with Payney that the opportunity was too good for him to turn down, from a financial point of view with the player contract but also going to a league where he can really test himself and with the Champions League stuff that we can’t provide,” Gill said.

“The main driver for Payney was obviously the football side of things, the social media following is what it is, but he’s a footballer first and foremost.”
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about 2 months ago
The Phoenix just keeps on developing Kiwi talent 😎
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about 2 months ago
Niche Cache

In a completely beneficial coincidence, Payne’s partner has a Costa Rican mother and grew up speaking Spanish, hence this truly is a special opportunity for him and his family - he’s not just saying that because he’s got a social media manager now. The fact that he’s got that extra connection to football in the Americas – which Old Mate El Scarso could never have known – makes this even more providential. And while there is still some gimmickry involved in this move, with the Olimpia bossman already frothing at the commercial prospects, the opportunity for T-Payne is completely real. Olimpia are a club that’ll embrace a marketing ploy but they’re also not about to risk their ongoing success so we can trust that Olimpia have a plan for Payne beyond the social media buzz. 
 
(Unlike the Argentinian club that tried to sign him: Deportivo Riestra admitted they were interested and it would have fitted their modus operandi because two years ago they club got in trouble when they registered a Twitch streamer and picked him to start a top division game, then subbed him off inside the first minute, all as a publicity stunt).

Rodrigo Nogués, Olimpia club president: “Obviously for us, we're not going to hide it, we're not going to deny it, the signing plays a significant role in our global brand consolidation strategy. The idea is to strengthen our brand globally.”

More from Señor Nogues: “We had been following everything that was happening around Tim Payne globally. We searched the internet for the contact of his agent at Transfermarkt, we sent him an email and he responded in less than 24 hours. When I spoke to [Payne], he had already done his research [on Club Olimpia]. The truth is that we didn’t need to convince him about Olimpia, though he did catch up on the club's current affairs. Luckily it was a quick process. We’ve already had a lot of impact in terms of brands. Sponsors of the club contacted us as well as new brands with whom we already have initial conversations. The brand exposure for Club Olimpia has been gigantic in terms of media and that will allow us to monetise. But while this is a signing that has an important marketing impact, it was analysed together with the sports management because we know that this transfer can give us a lot on the field.”

There were also clubs in Mexico and Uruguay reportedly after him, might have even had a bidding war for her services. You can see why Olimpia was the most attractive offer though. Payne will be the first New Zealander to play professionally in Paraguay and the first to feature (should he do so) in the Copa Sudamericana. Not the first to play Copa Libertadores, mind you. If he’s still around for that campaign then he’ll be following in the footsteps of his long-time All Whites teammate Marco Rojas who made two appearances for Colo-Colo of Chile in that competition a couple years ago. Played against Monagas (Venezuela) and Boca Juniors (Argentina).

Random fact: Club Olimpia have had very few players through the years who weren’t from the Americas but they did sign the Togo legend Emmanuel Adebayor back in 2020. He only played three games for them though. Got red carded in his third appearance for karate kicking a fella in the face and then never went back once covid hit 
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about 2 months ago
Watching the Socceroos v Paraguay match, heard it mentioned that Paraguayan legend Roque Luis Santa Cruz is still playing in the Paraguayan Primera División.
He'll be 45 in August!!

Current club Nacional, but he mostly played in his home country with Payne's Olimpia.

He had 2 seasons with Ryan Nelsen at Blackburn Rovers.
I remember some yarn by Nellie that Santa Cruz was so handsome, Nellie's wife was not so secretly in love with him!
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about 2 months ago
Given how poor Payne has been this WC and for the Nix, getting NZ$ 500k is a great little return for the club plus it allows younger kiwis to get a chance to become the next Wood, Just, Almond, Nelsen etc.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites

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Endorsed by
JuniWanderingSheep
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
theprof wrote:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360999287/next-stop-paraguay-all-whites-defender-tim-paynes-viral-adventure-isnt-over
Paraguayan league restarts late July. 
It wil be party time in Asuncion right now after the win over the Germans

After seven years at the Phoenix, Payne said playing at a World Cup and moving overseas had always been his dream.

He has been learning Spanish on Duolingo, with support from his partner Michelle Peters, who grew up in Costa Rica.

“They got in contact with my agent and it’s a fantastic football move and a fantastic move for my family. Everything just seemed to fit. I had really good conversations with them and to be able to go there and compete at that level, it’s just a fantastic challenge,” Payne said.

“Any footballer wants to try and compete at the highest level they can. Where at a massive tournament so you’re on the world stage and if you perform that can happen. I’ve always been open to the idea.”

Payne met Scarsini at the team hotel in Boca Raton after the warm-up against Haiti and said he remained grateful for being singled out – especially with some team-mates having even fewer followers.

In a sign of just how far his fame had spread, McDonald’s Argentina created a personalised Payne “Legends Cup”, putting him alongside global stars Lionel Messi, David Beckham and Ronaldinho, while dozens of international supporters arrived at the All Whites’ first game in Los Angeles kitted out in “No Payne, No Gain” t-shirts.

“I’m eternally grateful to what he’s done. He’s a fantastic guy and I really appreciate it. I’m just grateful he’s chosen me,” Payne said.

“I’ve really been trying to make sure he’s included in this because without him, the people of Argentina and the people of LATAM, and even in New Zealand, wouldn’t have had that focus on me.”
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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Don’t think he was poor at the World Cup. He stuck to his task on the flank and got an assist. Didn’t get far going forward, but Libby didn’t show much either and we were up against good teams.

(I’m still waiting for the Stamenic- McCowatt goal to go in because it would be the greatest All Whites goal I’ve ever seen. And the first two Just goals with Woodsy assisting were there too…)





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Endorsed by
coochiee
about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
I thought Payne went pretty much as expected at the WC. Doku can make even the best look silly, and yes Libby in comparison was a bit disappointing. Just too much to do fitness and match sharpness wise in a short timeframe 

Who knows how it will go for gringo Timmy in Paraguay. An early howler and the Olimpia fans could just write him off as a marketing gimmick. The toughest matches will likely be the continental Sudamerica games. He might be on the bench for those. It’s gonna be an adventure for sure
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Endorsed by
martinb
about 1 month ago
martinb wrote:
I’m still waiting for the Stamenic- McCowatt goal to go in because it would be the greatest All Whites goal I’ve ever seen.
Scratching my head.. what match/when was this chance?
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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
durandurante wrote:
 martinb wrote:
I’m still waiting for the Stamenic- McCowatt goal to go in because it would be the greatest All Whites goal I’ve ever seen.
Scratching my head.. what match/when was this chance?
Early 2nd half against Egypt. We were I think 1-0 up at the time.

McC runs from deep, Marko sees the run and crosses, but leaping McC's header reaction saved by the keeper.

https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2076831842632880559

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Endorsed by
duOi Oi Edgecumbe
about 1 month ago
Olimpia trail Flamengo 4-2, mid 2nd half. Payne didn't make the trip.
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22 days ago · edited 22 days ago · History
On the bench v Libertad.

Always fascinates me how much football other countries play the game - Raul Cáceres - the starting right back today has close to 600 club appearances across his career at the age of 34.

At 32, Tim is under 300 - and even then, thats counting his Auckland City, Waitakere, and Portland Timbers ressies games.
HOLDljkWoAAYZ9l.jpg 740.23 KB
Anyway, I ramble on. Good luck Tim!
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Endorsed by
KiwiMancuniankwlap
22 days ago · edited 22 days ago · History
Payne an unused sub as Olimpia trail 0-1 in added time.

Finishes a 0-1 loss
In the opposition a guy who plays for Palestine


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21 days ago
Thursday

Olimpia travel to Nacional Asuncion.
https://us.soccerway.com/game/nacional-asuncion-tlTrrCBA/olimpia-asuncion-b9eesWQG/?mid=CzJU7Vig

Quite a contrast to the A League, Timmy won't be flying much when playing in the Paraguayan League.
Though yes he will once the SudaAmerica games commence.


As of the 2026 season of the APF División de Honor, there are 8 top-flight clubs based directly in Asunción out of the 12 teams in the league. 

Asuncion Clubs in the Top Flight
Cerro Porteño
Guaraní
Libertad
Nacional
Olimpia
Recoleta FC
Rubio Ñu
Sportivo Trinidense 

(Note: The remaining 4 teams in the 12-team top division—2 de Mayo, Sportivo San Lorenzo, Sportivo Ameliano, and Sportivo Luqueño—are located outside city limits or in nearby metropolitan areas/departments).
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19 days ago
Payne on the pine 
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19 days ago · edited 19 days ago · History
71 mins and Olimpia are down 2-0.

5 subs made to date by Olimpia but still No Payne, No Gain.
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19 days ago
Payne stays on the pine for a 2-0 loss. That's 2 losses since the league resumed.
Surely time to give him some mins in the next game. He's coming off a World Cup, so he's match fit.
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Endorsed by
PK
19 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Payne stays on the pine for a 2-0 loss. That's 2 losses since the league resumed.
Surely time to give him some mins in the next game. He's coming off a World Cup, so he's match fit.
Well I'm pleased he didn't play both matches as a new recruit to then get blamed for the 2 losses. Now he has a chance to add something, maybe a nice forward pass to set up an attacking chance or even an assist when he gets his debut, best of luck. Let's see if they give him a few corner kicks later on.
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Endorsed by
dunnixOi Oi Edgecumbetheprof
15 days ago · edited 15 days ago · History
Way to announce yourself!
Payne on at 69 mins (3-0) in that 5-0 win.

Opponent Rubio Ñu  bottom of the league. Next some tougher matches. 2 legged Copa Suda Americana playoff against Vasco from Brazil. 
First leg away.
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Endorsed by
LG
15 days ago
Outstanding run and finish from Payne. Glad to see hes hit the ground running.

Valley FC til I die?

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Endorsed by
LG
15 days ago
PKB wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
Payne stays on the pine for a 2-0 loss. That's 2 losses since the league resumed.
Surely time to give him some mins in the next game. He's coming off a World Cup, so he's match fit.
Well I'm pleased he didn't play both matches as a new recruit to then get blamed for the 2 losses. Now he has a chance to add something, maybe a nice forward pass to set up an attacking chance or even an assist when he gets his debut, best of luck. Let's see if they give him a few corner kicks later on.
You called it buddy!


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Endorsed by
LGOi Oi EdgecumbePK
15 days ago
Stunning finish on a bobbly pitch
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
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Endorsed by
LGOi Oi EdgecumbePKWanderingSheep
15 days ago
Hello, I'm here !!! Statement of intent by the man.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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Endorsed by
PK
15 days ago
martinb wrote:
 PKB wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
Payne stays on the pine for a 2-0 loss. That's 2 losses since the league resumed.
Surely time to give him some mins in the next game. He's coming off a World Cup, so he's match fit.
Well I'm pleased he didn't play both matches as a new recruit to then get blamed for the 2 losses. Now he has a chance to add something, maybe a nice forward pass to set up an attacking chance or even an assist when he gets his debut, best of luck. Let's see if they give him a few corner kicks later on.
You called it buddy!
Yes. Club Olimpia played the best opponents first, then hit the wooden spooners or near, after and demolished them. Remember Tim scored his first A League goal in a 5:2 win over Brisbane......I don't mind a stat padding goal. ✅️
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Endorsed by
LG
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