Viral World Cup sensation Payne signs for Paraguay's Olimpia

New Zealand defender Tim Payne has signed a one-year deal with Paraguayan club Olimpia, becoming a viral sensation before representing his country at the World Cup. The move was confirmed by a club source to Reuters on Tuesday.

Payne is set to join the historic South American team after New Zealand's World Cup participation in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Speculation about the transfer intensified when Olimpia posted an Instagram message featuring a New Zealand flag and a flexed-biceps emoji just before New Zealand's Group G opener against Iran. The match concluded in a 2-2 draw.

The agreement was confirmed, though specific details were not disclosed. Payne, a defender for the Wellington Phoenix, achieved global recognition after an Argentine influencer initiated a social media campaign highlighting him as the least-known player at the World Cup. This campaign encouraged fans to follow him online, dramatically increasing his Instagram following from fewer than 5,000 to approximately 5.8 million. The 32-year-old unexpectedly became one of the tournament's most talked-about viral stars.

Olimpia, a club with a distinguished history as Paraguay's only three-time Copa Libertadores champions, recently qualified for the Copa Sudamericana's last 16 as Group G winners. They also secured a spot in next year's Libertadores by winning the domestic Apertura title.

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The agreement was in place but did not provide further details.