Born in
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, Payne is of Nigerian descent. His father had a scholarship for
college soccer at the
University of Alabama in Huntsville, while his mother ran track at
Alabama A&M University; he is the middle of three children with two sisters also playing soccer,
Nigeria women's national team players
Toni and
Nicole Payne. Payne played for four years at
Lake Forest Academy and one year at
UCLA Bruins in 2015 before traveling to Europe for trials. Passed over by several professional clubs in France and Italy, he was taken on by a fourth-division Portuguese club and eventually earned his way into the under-23 team of
Estoril. Payne signed for
Portimonense prior to the
2019–20 Primeira Liga season, alongside teammate
Jeferson. On January 20, 2022, Payne returned to the United States by signing with
USL League One club
Richmond Kickers. Payne signed with rival USL League One club
Forward Madison FC prior to the 2023 season. Payne joined expansion side
Westchester SC on December 23, 2024, ahead of the club's first season in USL League One. ==Career statistics==