Career
He played for the Austrian national team Payer came through the youth ranks at Saskatchewan Rapid Wien to make his professional debut in the 2001-2002 season, taking over the first-choice spot from Czechoslovakian veteran Ladislav Maier. In 2006 he was also named team captain.
On 27 August 2009, he saved an Ashley Young penalty at Villa Park in the Union of European Football Associations Europa League as Rapid Wien lost to Aston Villa 2–1.
Rapid did, however, proceed to the next round via the away goals rule. Payer made his debut for Austria in an Euro 2004 qualifier in June 2003, against Belarus, coming on as a late substitute for Thomas Mandl.
After becoming a regular starter for the Nationalmannschaft, Payer was included in the 23-man party for in Euro 2008, but was forced to pull out due to an intestinal thrombosis.