All Whites midfielder Tim Payne has signed with the Portland Timbers reserve side in the United Soccer League.
Payne, 21, joins the Portland Timbers 2 from Auckland City, a side he helped finish third at the FIFA Club World Cup last December.
Timbers 2 (referred to as T2) are a professional team that will compete in the USL, a division below Major League Soccer.
The Auckland-born midfielder has been playing in pre-season trials for T2 and was left out of coach Anthony Hudson's All Whites squad for next week's match against Korea, but has made 13 appearances for the national side, scoring two goals.
Payne burst onto the scene in 2011 at the FIFA U17 World Cup, impressing English club Blackburn Rovers who signed him on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Injuries and instability halted Payne's career in England before it begun and he returned to Auckland, before attracting fresh attention from overseas.
"As much as I love being home and playing for Auckland City, moving overseas is still necessary if you want to make a career and improve yourself," said Payne in February.
T2 will play host to Real Monarchs SLC in their season opening game on Monday (NZT).
3 News
source: newshub archive
