Antionette Oyedupe "Toni" Payne OON (; born 22 April 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Inter Milan. Born in the United States, she represents Nigeria at international level.
Early life Payne was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama to Nigerian parents.Samuel Ahmadu, American-born Toni Payne awaits Fifa's clearance, Goal, 5 April 2019. Accessed 16 May 2020. 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.
Club career In 2017, Ajax invited Payne for an internship, which led to her signing for the club. She made her league debut against ADO Den Haag on 19 May 2017. Payne scored her first league goal against PSV on 27 May 2018, scoring in the 16th minute.
On 4 July 2018, Payne was announced at Sevilla. She made her league debut against Albacete on 9 September 2018. Payne scored her first league goal against Rayo Vallecano on 16 September 2018, scoring in the 89th minute. On 18 June 2019, it was announced that her contract was extended for two further years.Samuel Ahmadu, Sevilla hand Toni Payne contract extension until 2021, Goal, 18 June 2019. Accessed 16 May 2020.
On 19 July 2024, Payne was announced at Everton. 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. On 26 June 2026, it was announced that she would leave Everton when her contract expired.
On 12 July 2026, it was announced that Payne had signed a two-year contract with Serie A club Inter Milan until 30 June 2028.
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.Sevilla striker Toni Payne wants to dump USA and play for Super Falcons of Nigeria, 7 March 2019. Accessed 15 May 2020. She made her senior debut on 18 February 2021 starting against Russian club CSKA Moscow at the Turkish Cup. Her first appearance facing a national team was two days later against Uzbekistan.
Payne was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 16 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the FIFA World Cup 2023.
Payne was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
On 20 June 2025, Payne was named in the final Nigeria squad for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAjax2016–17Vrouwen Eredivisie200000—202017–18Vrouwen Eredivisie200110030241Total220110030261Sevilla2018–19Liga F27730——3072019–20Liga F21430——2442020–21Liga F33510——3452021–22Liga F29520——3152022–23Liga F28310——2932023–24Liga F30620——326Total16830120000018030Everton2024–25Women's Super League2212020—2612025–26Women's Super League1902131—242Total411415100503Career total23131172513025334
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria20217120221302023130202470202560202621Total482
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Payne goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Toni PayneNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1Mtskheta Park, Manavgat, Turkey7–09–02021 Turkish Women's Cup25 June 2026 Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Nigeria 2–0 2–1 Friendly
Honours Nigeria
Women's Africa Cup of Nations: 2024
Orders
Officer of the Order of the Niger
References
External links