Nicole Payne

Nicole Oyeyemisi Payne (born 18 January 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for National Women's Soccer League club Portland Thorns, on loan from Première Ligue side Paris Saint-Germain. Born in the United States, she represents Nigeria at international level.

Early life
Payne was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, attending Oak Mountain High School there.

College career
Payne attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia for three years, transferring to the University of Southern California for her fourth and final year.

Club career
Payne signed with Paris Saint-Germain of France's Division 1 Féminine in July 2023. Her first appearance (of four to date ) for PSG came as a substitute in a 5–2 win over Dijon FCO on 12 November 2023, with her first start on 20 January 2024 in an 8–1 win over FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

In February 2024 she was loaned to the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League for the 2024 season.

International career
Payne was called up to the United States national under-17 team in 2017.

Payne made her senior debut for Nigeria on 10 June 2021 as a 90th-minute substitute in a 0–1 friendly loss to Jamaica.

Personal life
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Nigerian parents, Payne is the younger sister of fellow footballers Toni Payne and Stephen Payne. She and her sister Toni have played together in the Nigeria women's national team.

Honours
Paris Saint-Germain
 * Coupe de France: 2023–24