New Zealand's Payne joins Paraguayan powerhouse after Instagram fame / Photo: Megan Briggs - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Mexico into World Cup last 32, Canada celebrate historic win
-
Seoul record leads most Asian markets higher, crude extends losses
-
Co-hosts Mexico first team into World Cup knockout rounds
-
Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer
-
Erasmus under 'no illusions' as tough Springboks season kicks off
-
'Pico' Lopes -- Cape Verde defender's journey from Ireland to World Cup
-
100 Colombian guerrillas disarm in deal with leftist government
-
'Pretty special': captains eye Super Rugby glory in clash of top seeds
-
Football 'ambassador' and fan favorite: a duck becomes a star in Mexico
-
Ivory Coast's Diomande living World Cup dream, dealing with tragedy
-
Slipper out of retirement for Wallabies' Nations Championship campaign
-
Australia seek 'respect' from US amid World Cup 'layup' row
-
New Zealand's Payne joins Paraguayan powerhouse after Instagram fame
-
Japan doctor-turned-author moots amputations to ease care crunch
-
Clark seizes four-stroke lead at darkness-halted US Open
-
Fossils challenge assumptions on how animals adapted to land
-
From private enterprise to property: Cuba's reforms unpacked
-
Canada romp to first World Cup win, Switzerland thump Bosnia
-
'Last ride': US says goodbye to Air Force One as Qatari jet awaits
-
Venezuela govt, opposition hold US-backed talks on democratic transition
-
Gabriel tells Brazil to turn the page against Haiti at World Cup
-
Horror injury overshadows Canada's first World Cup win
-
Cuba adopts historic package of free-market reforms
-
US faces tough path to new Iran nuclear deal
-
Good US Open shots not good enough for 2-over Scheffler
-
Cuba unveils historic package of free-market reforms
-
Subs send Swiss to World Cup rout of Bosnia-Herzegovina
-
Stokes set for England return in New Zealand finale - reports
-
McIlroy pleased with reduced green speeds in US Open winds
-
Quarantine over for almost all hantavirus ship passengers, crew
-
US stocks resume upward climb as dollar advances again after Fed outlook
-
Ex-presidents and stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Library
-
Stevens seizes US Open lead with McIlroy, Aberg one back
-
Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists attack Niger airport, 11 soldiers killed
-
'Big-game' Bellingham shows his worth for England at World Cup
-
New Zealand's Henry rocks England in 2nd Test after Phillips century
-
Vance warns Israel against criticizing US-Iran deal
-
Iran's supreme leader says approved deal as US lifts ports blockade
-
Australian qualifier Hijikata shocks Lehecka at Queen's Club
-
AI-generated videos use Down syndrome to make sales
-
O'Brien's royal century reward for sacrificing all for racing
-
Spurs sign Dutch defender Van Hecke from Brighton
-
England great Botham slams Stokes for breaking curfew
-
Liverpool agree deal to sign Spain forward Munoz from Osasuna
-
Chivu extends Inter deal until 2028 after debut season double triumph
-
New Zealand's Henry rocks England after Phillips century
-
Ghana pushes for concrete slavery reparations
-
Wildcard Eala shocks Rybakina in Berlin
-
Robertson and Scotland eye World Cup history against Morocco
-
South Africa hold Czechs, keep World Cup knockout dream alive
New Zealand's Payne joins Paraguayan powerhouse after Instagram fame
New Zealand's World Cup social media sensation Tim Payne has capitalised on his newfound fame, with the defender announcing on Friday that he has signed for Paraguayan powerhouse Club Olimpia.
His current club, Wellington Phoenix, confirmed his sale to the 48-time champions of Paraguay for an undisclosed fee.
The versatile 32-year-old shot to social media stardom in the lead-up to the World Cup after Argentinian influencer El Scarso sought to boost the following of the tournament's "least followed" player.
Payne's Instagram following grew from just 4,000 to more than five million in the space of a week, and now sits just shy of six million.
"This wasn't an easy decision," Payne said in a post on Friday.
"Seven years at Wellington Phoenix. 149 games. To the fans, my teammates, and all those who have supported me throughout my career, the highs and the lows, thank you.
"To test myself at the very top of South American football, the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, is one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional."
El Scarso, whose real name is Valen Scarsini, was among the first to comment, saying: "Best of luck brother."
Payne started New Zealand's first match of the World Cup, a 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles.
New Zealand next play Egypt and Belgium in Group G.
L.Durand--AMWN