Nigeria Players Abroad
Portland Thorns activates permanent buy option of Nicole Payne’s loan deal
By Monsurah Olatunji
American outfit Portland Thorns FC have completed the signing of Super Falcons defender, Nicole Payne from PSG, on a permanent deal.
The Nigerian signed with Paris Saint-Germaine in the summer of 2023 but after spending a year in France, she was sent on loan back to the United States, where she currently plays with the Portland Thorns in the NWSL.
The dual national fullback, who formerly played college football for the University of South Carolina, turned pro following the 2022 season.
Payne has seen time in nine games for the Thorns this season and is convincing enough for the club to active the buy option in her loan deal.
“We’ve permanently acquired defender Nicole Payne,” the club posted on IG.
“She’s signed a new contract through the 2025 season. Congratulations.”
“Nicole has brought a level of competition to our outside back group which has helped raise the bar for all our defenders,” Thorns General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said in a statement.
“We look forward to seeing how she will continue to impact our club going forward.”
Nicole is the younger sister of 2023 Women’s World Cup star Toni Payne, who dons the colours of Spanish Liga F outfit Sevilla.
She made her international debut for Nigeria against Jamaica in 2021 and has been named to the Olympic squad by Coach Randy Waldrum.
It will be the first Olympic Games for Payne, who previously saw tournament action with the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations in 2022.
Overall, she has seven international caps at the senior level, including two starts.
