Everton Women have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Nigerian international Toni Payne.
The versatile 29-year-old forward joins the Toffees after a successful six-year stint with Sevilla in Spain, marking the first summer signing for Brian Sorensen’s squad.
In an interview with the club’s website, Payne expressed her enthusiasm about the move, stating that the timing of the transfer aligns with her career aspirations.
“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. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play at a club like Everton with so much history in football,” Toni Payne said.
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“Now was the right moment for me to look for another challenge to push myself,” she explained. “It’s going to be different and new, and I’m really happy about my decision.”
With 21 caps for Nigeria, Toni Payne brings a wealth of international experience to the Everton squad. She recently featured in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where Nigeria’s impressive run ended in a narrow defeat to England in the round of 16.
Payne’s World Cup experience has only fueled her desire to compete in the WSL. “I’m impressed with how the league is investing in teams and the league itself,” she said. “I see such a rapid growth and it’s something that I’m really excited and eager to be a part of.”
The Nigerian international will find familiar faces at Everton, having faced off against new teammates Heather Payne and Courtney Brosnan during the World Cup. She’s looking forward to developing her skills under manager Brian Sorensen.
“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.”
Payne also expressed her eagerness to adapt to Everton’s playing style: “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.”
Manager Brian Sorensen shared his thoughts on the new signing, highlighting Payne’s versatility and physical attributes.
“I’m extremely happy to bring Toni to the Club. She is exactly the type of player we need. I’m 100-per-cent confident Toni can fit right into our team and into this league because she has a wealth of experience from Spain but also for the Nigeria national team.
“She can play multiple positions and is an intelligent player who is really fast. A player without any injury history, too, so we are confident she will be a big success for us.”
The Everton boss also emphasized how Payne’s skills align with the team’s tactical approach.
“The way we play, it’s very dynamic. We don’t operate with a typical front three, it’s more so about filling the right spaces and having the ability to create opportunities. That’s where she will fit in very well. Toni can play across the front line and in behind but can also do combination play and drop into midfield. All of these qualities make her a great asset and she will be an important player for us,” he added.
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