West Ham United have confirmed the signing of French international Dimitri Payet.
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The France international joins from Olympique de Marseille with the two sides having agreed a fee of £10.7 million, and moves to the Hammers on a five-year deal [Daily Mail].
Dimitri Payet, welcome and good luck from all Hammers fans. dg More information go to http://t.co/W2wbaCCNgh pic.twitter.com/ptn2xoOce1
— David Gold (@davidgold) June 26, 2015
The signing is a major signal of intent from new Irons boss Slaven Bilic, who has been linked with several high-profile players over the last week.
Payet’s fellow French internationals Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy have both been linked with a move to Upton Park [Express], while the East London side are also closing in on a permanent transfer for Barcelona’s Alex Song [Telegraph].
The former Arsenal midfielder spent last season on loan with West Ham, and despite being linked with a move to Chelsea—as a potential replacement for John Obi Mikel [Express]—the Cameroon international is understood to be closing in on a move to back to the Boleyn Ground.
Payet’s signing can be considered as something of a coup for Bilic and the club.
The playmaker was one of the outstanding individuals in Ligue 1 last season; he is a superb set-piece taker, while his 17 assists represented a league-high last season.
However, the attacking midfielder has opted not to remain at the Stade Velodrome following the club’s inability to claim a spot in next season’s Champions League, instead opting for a move to the Premier League and the chance to compete in the Europa League with West Ham.
Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the long contract represents something of a risk for the Hammers, with the player already in his late twenties.