Soccer
Nicole Payne and Toni Payne in action against Burundi. Copyright: Imago
Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne has completed a move to Italian Serie A Femminile side Inter Milan Women following the expiration of her contract with WSL side Everton, Soccernet.ng reports.
Le Nerazzurre confirmed the signing earlier today, announcing that the Nigerian international has signed a two-year deal that will keep her at the club until June 2028.
Payne arrives in Milan after spending two seasons with Everton, where she made 50 appearances following her transfer from Spanish side Sevilla in 2024.
The 31-year-old now embarks on a new chapter in Italy, joining an ambitious Inter side looking to challenge for major honours domestically and in Europe.
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Soccer Nigeria: Toni Payne elated after joining Inter Milan from Everton
Speaking after sealing the move, the Super Falcons star admitted that her career is entering a new stage.
“I’m really excited to be signing for Inter. There’s so much history at the club, and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” Payne told the club’s official website.
“It means so much to me. I’m in a different phase of my career. I’m really excited to be joining such a competitive league and a competitive team that are striving for great things.”
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Nigerian parents, Payne began her European journey with Dutch giants Ajax in 2017 before moving to Sevilla a year later.
She spent six seasons in Spain, making over 180 appearances and scoring 30 goals for the Liga F club, establishing herself as one of the league’s most consistent attacking midfielders before her switch to England.
Although she represented the United States at the youth level, Payne switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2021 and has since become a key figure for the Super Falcons.
The versatile midfielder has featured for Nigeria at major tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games, and was recently named in Justine Madugu’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Payne also outlined the qualities she believes she can bring to Inter.
“The league is very competitive. I think I have a couple of qualities that I can demonstrate here, so I’m excited to do that in the upcoming seasons.
“I think I have a lot of speed, I like to dribble a lot and put in good crosses. I really hope those qualities can help Inter a lot, and I’m eager to get started,” Payne concluded.
Her arrival also strengthens Nigeria’s growing presence in Italian women’s football, with compatriots such as Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo already plying their trade in the Serie A Women’s League.
For Payne, the move represents both a fresh challenge and an opportunity to compete at the highest level once again as she prepares to help Inter push for silverware in the upcoming season.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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