{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=June 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Toni Payne | image = | caption = | fullname = Antionette Oyèdúpẹ́ Payne<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FU17W/2012/pdf/FU17W_2012_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 – List of Players: USA |publisher=FIFA |page=16 |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=10 April 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422202146/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FU17W/2012/pdf/FU17W_2012_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|4|22|df=y}} | birth_place = Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | height = 1.63 m | position = Midfielder, forward | currentclub = Everton | clubnumber = 9 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | collegeyears1 = 2013–2016 | college1 = Duke Blue Devils | collegecaps1 = 90 | collegegoals1 = 23 | years1 = 2017–2018 | clubs1 = Ajax | caps1 = 22 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018–2024 | clubs2 = Sevilla | caps2 = 168 | goals2 = 30 | years3 = 2024– | clubs3 = Everton | caps3 = 41 | goals3 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2012 | nationalteam1 = United States U17 | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 3 | nationalyears2 = 2013–2014 | nationalteam2 = United States U20 | nationalcaps2 = | nationalgoals2 = | nationalyears3 = 2016–2018 | nationalteam3 = United States U23 | nationalcaps3 = 1 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2021– | nationalteam4 = Nigeria | nationalcaps4 = 46 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | medaltemplates = | club-update = 14:49, 19 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 07:35, 24 October 2025 (UTC)<ref name=SW>{{Soccerway|241389|accessdate=20 February 2021}}</ref> }}
'''Antionette Oyedupe''' "'''Toni'''" '''Payne OON''' ({{IPA|yo|òjédupɛ́|lang}}; born 22 April 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Everton.<ref name=Ahmadu>Samuel Ahmadu, [https://www.goal.com/en/news/sevilla-hand-toni-payne-contract-extension-until-2021/1d758u6nr6mnb1npnoca2x4f7y Sevilla hand Toni Payne contract extension until 2021], ''Goal'', 18 June 2019. Accessed 16 May 2020.</ref> Born in the United States, she represents Nigeria at international level.
==Early life== Payne was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama to Nigerian parents.<ref name=Pulse/><ref name=Ahmadu-Fifa>Samuel Ahmadu, [https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/american-born-toni-payne-awaits-fifas-clearance/1u815elr0orpt1fp4dow3ng0ts American-born Toni Payne awaits Fifa's clearance], ''Goal'', 5 April 2019. Accessed 16 May 2020.</ref> She is the older sister of fellow footballers Stephen and Nicole Payne. She and her sister Nicole have played together in the Nigeria national team.<ref name="GSA-Debut">{{Cite web |title=Match Report of Jamaica vs Nigeria – 2021-06-10 – FIFA Friendlies – Women |url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2021-06-10/jamaica-vs-nigeria/2375811/ |accessdate=8 July 2024 |website=Global Sports Archive}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Ajax===
In 2017, Ajax invited Payne for an internship, which led to her signing for the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parool.nl/sport/drie-nieuwe-aanwinsten-voor-ajax-vrouwen~b11201a6/?referrer=https://nl.wikipedia.org/|title=Drie nieuwe aanwinsten voor Ajax Vrouwen|language=Dutch|website=www.parool.nl}}</ref> She made her league debut against ADO Den Haag on 19 May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/05/19/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/afc-ajax/ado-den-haag/2432831/|title=Ajax vs ADO Den Haag - 19 May 2017|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> Payne scored her first league goal against PSV on 27 May 2018, scoring in the 16th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/05/27/netherlands/vrouwen-eredivisie/afc-ajax/psvfc-eindhoven/2750575/|title=Ajax vs PSV - 27 May 2018|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>
===Sevilla===
On 4 July 2018, Payne was announced at Sevilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/toni-payne-dinamita-norteamericana-para-el-ataque-del-sevilla-fc|title=TONI PAYNE, DINAMITA NORTEAMERICANA PARA EL ATAQUE DEL SEVILLA FC|language=Spanish|website=sevillafc.es}}</ref> She made her league debut against Albacete on 9 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/09/09/spain/superliga/sevilla-fc/fundacion-albacete/2857404/|title=Sevilla vs Albacete - 9 September 2018|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> Payne scored her first league goal against Rayo Vallecano on 16 September 2018, scoring in the 89th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/09/16/spain/superliga/rayo-vallecano-de-madrid/sevilla-fc/2857412/|title=Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla - 16 September 2018|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> On 18 June 2019, it was announced that her contract was extended for two further years.<ref name=Ahmadu/>
===Everton===
On 19 July 2024, Payne was announced at Everton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/july/19/everton-sign-payne/|title=Everton Sign Payne|website=www.evertonfc.com}}</ref> On 7 December 2025, Payne assisted the goal for Honoka Hayashi to beat Chelsea 1–0, ending the longest unbeaten streak in Super League history of 34 matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chelsea 0-1 Everton: Chelsea suffer first defeat since May 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cd9zl1n7y03t |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==International career== Through birth and descent, Payne was eligible to play for the United States or Nigeria.
===United States=== Payne played for the United States under-17 team, and was in the team which won the 2012 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
===Nigeria=== In 2019, Payne declared her intention to switch her international career to Nigeria.<ref name=Pulse>[https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/toni-payne-wants-to-dump-usa-and-play-for-super-falcons-of-nigeria/bkrbbz3 Sevilla striker Toni Payne wants to dump USA and play for Super Falcons of Nigeria], 7 March 2019. Accessed 15 May 2020.</ref><ref name=Ahmadu-Fifa/> She made her senior debut on 18 February 2021 starting against Russian club CSKA Moscow at the Turkish Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/nigeria-1-0-cska-moscow-ihezuo-hands-american-born-payne-and/o5qrgzg5m2951vmstv3e3cgc2|title=Nigeria 1-0 CSKA Moscow: Ihezuo hands American born Payne and George winning debuts|first=Samuel|last=Ahmadu|website=Goal|date=18 February 2021|accessdate=20 February 2021}}</ref> Her first appearance facing a national team was two days later against Uzbekistan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39025|title=Nigeria 1 Uzbekistan 0 : Ayinde's Half-Volley Enough For Win ; Two American-born Players Debut|website=All Nigeria Soccer|accessdate=20 February 2021}}</ref>
Payne was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenff.com/2022/06/morocco-2022-waldrum-picks-ebi-oshoala-plumptre-22-others-for-women-afcon/|title=Morocco 2022: Waldrum picks Ebi, Oshoala, Plumptre, 22 others for Women AFCON|publisher=Nigeria Football Federation|date=25 June 2022}}</ref>
On 16 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the FIFA World Cup 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Ryan Dabbs |date=2023-06-14 |title=Nigeria Women's World Cup 2023 squad: most recent call ups |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/nigeria-women-world-cup-2023-squad-team-roster-players |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en}}</ref>
Payne was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenff.com/paris-2024-olympics-waldrum-picks-ajibade-nnadozie-oshoala-15-others/|title=Paris 2024 Olympics: Waldrum picks Ajibade, Nnadozie, Oshoala, 15 others|publisher=Nigeria Football Federation|website=thenff.com|date=3 July 2024}}</ref>
On 20 June 2025, Payne was named in the final Nigeria squad for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oyebola|first=Mike|date=20 June 2025|title=Super Falcons: Madugu unveils final squad for WAFCON 2024|url=https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/20/super-falcons-madugu-unveils-final-squad-for-wafcon-2024/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Daily Post|access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref>
== Career statistics == === Club === {{updated|match played 16 May 2026}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Toni Payne Stats |url=https://www.soccerway.com/player/payne-toni/hd7F0roT/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes KNVB Women's Cup, Copa de la Reina, Women's FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Women's League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes UEFA Women's Champions League}} !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Ajax |2016–17 |Vrouwen Eredivisie |2||0||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||0 |- |2017–18 |Vrouwen Eredivisie |20||0||1||1||0||0||3||0||24||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !22!!0!!1!!1!!0!!0!!3!!0!!26!!1 |- | rowspan="7" |Sevilla |2018–19 |Liga F |27||7||3||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||30||7 |- |2019–20 |Liga F |21 |4 |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |24 |4 |- |2020–21 |Liga F |33 |5 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |34 |5 |- |2021–22 |Liga F |29 |5 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |31 |5 |- |2022–23 |Liga F |28 |3 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |29 |3 |- |2023–24 |Liga F |30 |6 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |32 |6 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !168!!30!!12!!0!!0 !0!!0 !0!!180!!30 |- | rowspan="3" |Everton |2024–25 |Women's Super League |22||1||2||0||2||0|| colspan="2" |—||26||1 |- |2025–26 |Women's Super League |19||0||2||1||3||1|| colspan="2" |—||24||2 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !41!!1!!4!!1!!5!!1!!0 !0!!50!!3 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !231!!31!!17!!2!!5!!1!!3 !0!!253!!34 |} {{notelist}}
=== International === {{updated|match played 26 July 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="5" |Nigeria |2021||7||1 |- |2022||13||0 |- |2023||13||0 |- |2024||7||0 |- |2025||6||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total!!46!!1 |}
:''Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Payne goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Toni Payne |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- |style="text-align:center"|1 |{{dts|21 February 2021}} |Mtskheta Park, Manavgat, Turkey |{{fb|Equatorial Guinea}} |style="text-align:center"|7–0 |style="text-align:center"|9–0 |Friendly |} ==Honours== '''Nigeria'''
* Women's Africa Cup of Nations: 2024<ref name="NGA">{{cite web |title=Nigeria produce stunning comeback to beat Morocco and win 10th WAFCON title |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-africa-cup-of-nations/news/nigeria-produce-stunning-comeback-to-beat-morocco-and-win-10th-wafcon-title/ |access-date=2 May 2026 |publisher=CAF}}</ref>
'''Orders'''
* 60x60px Officer of the Order of the Niger
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{sports links}}
{{Everton F.C. (women) squad}} {{Navboxes | title = Nigeria squads | bg = #008751 | fg = white | list1 = {{Nigeria squad 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}} {{Nigeria women's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}} {{Nigeria squad 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Payne, Toni}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Nigerian women's footballers Category:21st-century Nigerian sportswomen Category:Women's association football forwards Category:AFC Ajax (women) players Category:Sevilla FC (women) players Category:Everton F.C. Women players Category:Eredivisie (women) players Category:Liga F players Category:United States women's youth international soccer players Category:Nigeria women's international footballers Category:Nigerian expatriate women's footballers Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Category:Expatriate women's footballers in the Netherlands Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Spain Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate women's footballers in England Category:Soccer players from Birmingham, Alabama Category:American women's soccer players Category:Duke Blue Devils women's soccer players Category:FC Kansas City draft picks Category:African-American soccer players Category:American people of Nigerian descent Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent Category:American expatriate women's soccer players Category:American expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:21st-century African-American sportswomen Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players Category:United States women's under-20 international soccer players Category:Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic footballers for Nigeria Category:2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Women's Super League players