Kai Payne

Kai Payne

Personal information
Full name	Kai Anthony Payne [1]
Date of birth	(2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 (age 20) [2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Wigan Athletic
Number	27
Youth career
2013–2017	Liverpool
2018–2023	Wigan Athletic
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Wigan Athletic	1	(0)
2023	→ Mossley (loan)	9	(2)
2024	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:49, 1 January 2025 (UTC)

Kai Payne (born 26 November 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Wigan Athletic.

Career

Payne was a highly sought-after player at under-9 level and was in the Academy at Liverpool until the age of 13. ^[3] He joined the academy at Wigan Athletic following a trial game in November 2018. ^[3] He turned professional at Wigan in November 2022 early into the second year of his scholarship. ^[4] On 2 March 2023, he joined Northern Premier League Division One West club Mossley on loan. ^{[5] [6]}

He made his debut for Wigan in November 2023 in an EFL Trophy game against Tranmere Rovers. ^[7] He made his first league appearance in August 2024 against Crawley Town, and signed a new three-year contract with the club a few days later. ^[8]

On 14 October 2024, Payne joined National League club Oldham Athletic on loan until 11 November. ^[9]

Style of play

Payne is a combative midfielder with excellent technique. ^[3]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Wigan Athletic	2022–23 [10]	EFL Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [11]	EFL League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	1	0
	2024–25 [12]	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	2 [a]	0	3	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	0
Mossley (loan)	2023–24 [11]	Northern Premier League Division One West	9	2	—		—		—		9	2
Career total			10	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	13	2

1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References

1. "EFL Squad List: Season 2024/25" (PDF). The English Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
2. Kai Payne at Soccerway
3. "Kai Payne". Wigan Athletic FC. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
4. "Kai Payne signs professional contract at Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic FC. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
5. "Kai Payne joins Lilywhites on loan!". Mossley AFC. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
6. Gordon, James (2 March 2023). "New loan addition for Mossley - The Pitching In Northern Premier League". www.thenpl.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
7. Kendrick, Paul (14 November 2023). "Report: Tranmere Rovers 0 Wigan Athletic 0 (Latics win 6-5 on penalties)". Wigan Today. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
8. "Kai Payne signs a new three-year contract at Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
9. "Payne Checks In on Loan". www.oldhamathletic.co.uk. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
10. "Games played by Kai Payne in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
11. "Games played by Kai Payne in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
12. "Games played by Kai Payne in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2024.