Fury football operations manager Robbie Middleby is delighted to have landed Payne and rates him very highly.

"This is a 19 year old with proven ability at this level," Middleby told the Townsville Bulletin.

Payne hit the headlines towards the end of last season with his handball goal in the finals win over Wellington Phoenix.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert slammed the incident but Payne is eager to move on.

"I still cop flak from my mates about it," said Payne. "But I just don't worry about it."

His new boss Middleby added: "I guess when you are a striker, you are born desperate to score and don't care what part of you it takes to do it."