Martín Ismael Payero (born 11 September 1998) is an Argentinian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Watford.
Club career Banfield
Payero's career started with Banfield. He first appeared in their first-team squad during the Primera División season, making his debut against San Martín on 4 December 2017; being substituted on for Eric Remedi with five minutes remaining. He made three further appearances in 2017–18 before fourteen more occurred in 2018–19. He scored his first senior goal in the latter, netting in a Copa Argentina victory over Juventud Unida on 27 February 2019.
Loan to Talleres
The succeeding August saw Payero depart on loan to fellow Primera División team Talleres. He scored once, versus Newell's Old Boys, in eighteen matches for them.
Middlesbrough
On 5 August 2021, Payero joined Championship side Middlesbrough on a three-year deal for around €7 million. On 11 August he made his debut for the club in a cup game against Blackpool which Middlesbrough then lost 3–0. He made his league debut on 14 August against Bristol City Which Middlesbrough went on to win 2–1. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Cardiff City on 23 October that year. He scored a penalty in the shootout against Manchester United as Middlesbrough knocked them out of the FA Cup on 4 February 2022. Just less than a week later Middlesbrough went to QPR, and Payero came on as a substitute in the 87th minute. Minutes later, he went into a tackle, injured himself, was stretchered off the pitch, and did not make an appearance for the Middlesbrough senior team until the team played Swansea City on 23rd April, where he came on as a 90th-minute substitute for Marcus Tavernier in his last competitive appearance for Middlesbrough.
Loan to Boca Juniors On 14 July 2022, Payero returned to Argentina to join Boca Juniors on a season-long loan deal. On 23 October 2022, the 2022 Argentine Primera División ended with Payero's Boca Juniors winning the league title.
Udinese On 1 September 2023, Payero joined Serie A club Udinese for a fee believed to be £3 million on a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
Loan to Cremonese On 22 August 2025, Payero was loaned by Cremonese, with a conditional obligation to buy.
Watford On 31 July 2026, Payero signed for Championship club Watford on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
International career Payero has previously been called up to train with the Argentina U20 squad. He played in all three of Argentina's matches in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBanfield2017–18 Argentine Primera División4000—0000402018–19100211010001412019–20100000—00102020–211212000—0014120211000000—00100Total37141101000432Talleres (loan)2019–20Argentine Primera División1612000—00181Middlesbrough2021–22EFL Championship1311010—001512023–24EFL Championship 000010—0010Total13110200000161Boca Juniors (loan)2022Argentine Primera División1512000—001712023Argentine Primera División10410–40–154Total255300040 00325Udinese2023–24Serie A292————2922024–25Serie A25120———271Total54320000000563Cremonese (loan)2025–26Serie A10100———101Career total1551212130500017513
Honours Boca Juniors Primera División: 2022 Supercopa Argentina: 2022
References