New Zealand’s defender Finn Surman heads the ball past teammate Tim Payne (left) and Iran’s forward Shahriyar Moghanloo during the 2026 World Cup Group G football match between Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 15, 2026. — AFP pic (New users only) It's tax relief season! Get up to RM300 when you save with Versa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. Wednesday, 17 Jun 2026 2:41 PM MYT WELLINGTON, June 17 — New Zealand defender Tim Payne, who became a viral ‌sensation shortly before representing his ​country at the World Cup, has signed a one-year deal with Paraguayan club ‌Olimpia, a club source told Reuters on Tuesday.Payne ​will join the historic South American side after New Zealand’s campaign at the World Cup in the United ​States, Mexico and Canada, Sky Sports first reported.Olimpia fuelled speculation on Monday when it posted a message on Instagram featuring a New Zealand flag and a flexed-biceps emoji ‌minutes before New Zealand's Group G opener against ⁠Iran, which ended in ⁠a 2-2 draw.The source confirmed ⁠the agreement was in ⁠place but ⁠did not provide further details.The Wellington Phoenix defender shot to global prominence after an Argentine ⁠influencer launched a social media campaign describing him as the least-known player at the World Cup and encouraging fans to follow him online.Payne’s Instagram following grew from fewer than 5,000 before ⁠the campaign to around 5.8 million, turning the 32-year-old into one of the tournament's most unlikely ⁠viral stars.Olimpia, Paraguay's only three-time Copa Libertadores champions, ⁠qualified ⁠for the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana as ​winners of Group G and ​also secured a place ‌in next year's Libertadores after ​winning the domestic ​Apertura title. — Reuters