'I hate pre-season' - Super Falcons star Payne ready to make official debut for Everton against Brighton
Published: September 17, 2024Everton's Super Falcons star Toni Payne has confessed that she isn't a fan of pre-season but is extremely excited for the official start of the new Women's Super League season this weekend.
Payne ended her six-year association with Sevilla in Spain to become the first signing of the summer transfer window for Brian Sorensen’s side.
The American-born player reported late for pre-season training at Everton due to international commitments with the Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympic Games, where she started every single game contested by the African powerhouse.
Payne made her unofficial debut in a friendly against Newcastle United on August 18 and was handed a starting berth as Everton were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool in their last preparatory game on September 13.
Ahead of their season opener against the Seagulls on Saturday, Payne was also given minutes against another WSL team Aston Villa which would help the Nigerian adapt to the physicality and pace of the league.
She also got a feel of how passionate the Everton supporters are, with the fans cheering her on during the friendly with Liverpool.
Speaking to Everton TV, Payne said: "It has definitely been good regardless of the results, it's good to play these really strong teams before the season starts.
"It's going to prepare us for Brighton. After this game we are all feeling very positive and ready to hopefully get a result against Brighton.
"I hate pre-season, I am always ready for the season to start so now that it's finally coming this weekend, I am super excited. I'm just ready for it to start."
After finishing eighth in the Women's Super League for the 2023-2024 season, Everton will aim to perform better in the forthcoming campaign.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Team news: Kehinde not in Ferencvaros squad; 18yo Nigerian forward travels with Tottenham
- Tottenham striker eligible for Super Eagles called up by England ahead of possible cap-tying games
- 'Not my best performance' - Modest Atalanta forward Lookman plays down display against Shakhtar Donetsk
- Club Brugge skipper lauds Onyedika after game-winning assist as Nigeria midfielder hits key milestone
- 'You don't sneak into the Nigerian national team' - New England Revolution assistant coach hails Alhassan
- RFS coach labels Osimhen 'a great goalscorer', identifies his potential replacement in starting XI
- Rangers boss hints two in-form players are keeping excellent Balogun from getting game time
- After first UCL goal and assist, Lookman matches feat of Atalanta's highest non-Italian goalscorer
- One to watch: Beyond Limits product Ayodele scores again in UYL, this time against Real Madrid
- Mikel insists Palmer shouldn't be likened to Chelsea great with 10 consecutive double-digit seasons
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- okvip ing
- Women's Football