The 18-year-old is reported to have signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Lancashire club and is set to feature for the reserve side next week.
The former Waitakere United and Auckland City player earned the move after impressing manager Steve Kean during a trial at the end of last year.
Rovers defender and fellow New Zealander Ryan Nelsen helped arrange the opportunity for Payne, who plays as a striker or attacking midfielder, but the All Whites captain insists that was as far as his influence went.
“He has done really well and it has all been on Tim’s back,” says Nelsen, who is trying to shake off the effects of a long-term injury and has made only one appearance for Blackburn this season.
“Sure, I have got him the opportunity there but they are not giving him a contract because of me. He had to play well, plain and simple, and they have watched him a lot.”
Payne becomes the third New Zealander to be on the books of Blackburn as, in addition to the starring role Nelsen has played, Wellington Phoenix youngster Cameron Lindsay spent time at Rovers as an academy player before being released last year.
If he graduates to first-team level, and provided Kean’s men remain in the top flight, Payne will become just the sixth Kiwi to have appeared in the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Nelsen, Lee Norfolk (Ipswich Town), Danny Hay (Leeds United), Simon Elliott (Fulham) and Winston Reid (West Ham United).
One of those figures, former All Whites skipper Danny Hay, has played a big part in Payne’s development as the Junior All White came through the ranks at Auckland’s Sacred Heart College, where Hay now works as a physical education teacher.
“Tim has natural ability, he’s an athlete and is quick and strong,” says Hay.
“He sees things other players don’t and has a really good understanding of the game. He’s got a great shot on him as well but it’s what’s going on in the top couple of inches which is the big thing for me.
“He’s got that genuine desire and drive to be a winner which is crucial because there’s plenty of kids with ability and talent out there but at the end of the day it’s about what’s going on upstairs.”

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