Payne relishes UK opportunity with Everton
Toni Payne, a Nigeria Super Falcons midfielder, is overjoyed with her move to Everton, which came just days after she left Sevilla.Speaking after her unveiling at Goodison Park on Friday, the 29-year-old, who can also play as a striker, said the transfer fulfilled her desire of playing in the UK.
"I'm very delighted to be an Everton player. "It's been my dream to play in the UK, especially in a league as strong as the WSL," Payne told Everton TV.
She went on to say, "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to play for Everton, a club with such a rich football heritage.
"It was the appropriate time for me to look for another challenge to push myself.
"It's going to be unusual and unique, and I'm very pleased with my decision. "I'm impressed with how the league invests in its teams and itself," she added.
"I see such rapid growth, and I am very excited to be a part of it."
"You can see how much the players are developing here at Everton."
"I believe this will be an excellent fit for me because it is exactly what I am looking for. I want to grow and improve, and this is the ideal environment for me to do so.
"I am impressed with how we play. I believe it matches my style and how I want to play. I can't wait to get started!"
Brian Sørensen, Everton FC's head coach, expressed his excitement in bringing Toni on board as his first signing of the transfer window.
"She is exactly the kind of player we need. Toni would fit immediately into our team and this league because she has extensive experience not just in Spain but also with the Nigeria national team.
"She can play numerous positions and is a very intelligent and speedy player. She is also an injury-free player, so we are convinced she will be a huge success for us.
"We play really dynamically. We don't use a standard front three; it's more about filling the proper gaps and being able to generate possibilities. She'll be right at home there.
"Toni can play across the front line and in behind, but she can also play combination games and drop into midfield.
"All of these qualities make her a great asset, and she will be an important player for us."
Payne, who can play throughout the front line, joins the club after six years with Sevilla and is Brian Sorensen's first summer acquisition.
She has 21 caps for Nigeria and was a member of the Super Falcons squad that competed in the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, where they were narrowly defeated by England in the last 16.
She is a major member of the team for the 2024 Olympic Games women's football competition in Paris, France, where they will compete in Group C against Brazil, Spain, and Japan.
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