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West Ham United player Dimitri Payet takes a free-kick against Arsenal in the Premier League at the Boleyn Ground. Author Egghead06.

Top 10 Facts about Dimitri Payet

Dimitri Payet is a French professional footballer who plays for French Ligue 1 club Marseille. He was born on 29th March 1987 on the French Island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

Payet began his football career playing for local clubs Saint-Philippe and Saint-Pierroise. Dimitri was described by his coaches as a kid who stood out from his comrades at the youth level.

Payet is a set-piece specialist who is widely known for his accurate, bending free kicks. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder who is described as 鈥渂lessed with terrific technique and dribbling skills.

The start of his career was not that perfect like other players who find it hard in a single club. He signed a professional contract with Le Havre where he endured four years.

At Le Havre, Dimitri Payet was accused by his coaches of having a difficult character and displaying a lack of motivation. These accusations made him depart from the club and returned to his former club where he established himself before flourishing in his career.

After many years with different clubs in France, Dimitri Payet was sold to the English Premier League against his desire of leaving Marseille. Dimitri Payet was sold to West Ham United for 拢10 million.

He made his debut for West Ham United against Arsenal football club in a match where he provided an assist. Dimitri Payet enjoyed a successful stint in England before returning to France again.

Here are the top 10 Facts about Dimitri Payet:

1. Payet was Praised for being Outstanding at Youth Level

Dimitri Payet was born a talented footballer in Saint-Pierre on the island of Reunion. He joined a local football club AS Saint-Philippe. At the club, Dimitri Payet was an immense success in his training and matches.

As a youth at AS Saint-Philippe, the coaches of Dimitri Payet reserved more praise for him. He was described as 鈥渁 kid who stood out for his comrades.鈥� Dimitri Payet stayed at the club for three years where he developed and moved to one of the best clubs on the island, JS Saint-Pierroise.

2. He was Accused of Difficult Character that got him a Transfer

Dimitri Payet.Author Xavier NALTCHAYAN

After just a year at JS Saint-Pierroise, Dimitri Payet earned another move to Le Havre. Payet signed a professional contract at Le Havre where he expected to be a star, but all did not go well as planned.

He endured a tumultuous four years stint at Le Havre where there were several accusations. At the club鈥檚 training ground, Payet was accused of having a difficult character and displaying a lack of motivation.

These accusations made his career at Le Havre not successful as he previously expected. Dimitri Payet ultimately got his departure from Le Havre and returned to R茅union where he signed with AS Excelsior.

3. Payet Played for Five French Clubs before Moving to the EPL

After securing his move to AS Excelsior, the career of Dimitri Payet seemed to follow the perfect path. He joined Nantes where he took a couple of years to cement his place in the starting eleven of the senior team.

While in France, Payet played for six French clubs where he developed into a skilful player. After Nantes, he was signed by Saint-Etienne after his former club got relegated.

Payet played for Saint-Etienne for three years before moving to Lille. He then played for Marseille where he shone and got sold to the English Premier League side, West Ham United.

4. He had a Physical Altercation with his Teammate and Captain in a 1-0 Loss

Dimitri Payet. Author Supporterh茅ninois.

The career of Dimitri Payet was flourishing while at Saint-Etienne. He became a regular starter who had more impact on his team and teammates.

However, Dimitri Payet was not the type of disciplined player all through. On 18th May 2010, he got involved in a physical altercation with his teammate and captain Blaise Matuidi during the 1-0 defeat to Toulouse.

Payet was criticised by his teammate Yohan for displaying a lack of aggression. The captain confronted him which made them have a face-to-face standoff. Dimitri Payet delivered a blow to his captain鈥檚 head which made him get substituted in the 31st minute.

5. Dimitri got a Transfer to England without the Intent of Leaving Marseille

Payet enjoyed a brilliant career at Lille, he moved to Marseille where he became more mature in his game and discipline. Under Marcelo Bielsa, Dimitri Payet grew into a pivotal player who assisted his team more.

However, on 26th June 2015, Dimitri Payet got transferred from Marseille to the English Premier League side West Ham United. The EPL team had to pay 拢10.7 million for Payet who moved to England against his desire.

Selling Dimitri Payet to West Ham United was not his intention but the financial situation of the club made him get transferred. Marseille was supposed to sell Florian Thauvin and Imbula to balance their finance which failed. Dimitri Payet had to be transferred to balance their financial books.

6. Payet was Named Premier League Player of the Year in his First Season

Dimitri Payet.Author Supporterh茅ninois

The move of Dimitri Payet to England was not the worst decision. During his first season at West Ham United, Payet made himself a superstar of the team. On his debut, he got an assist during the two-nil win against Arsenal.

In the 2015-2016 season, Payet was a star player for West Ham United even though he was sidelined for three months with an injury. He had an outstanding season in English Football.

Dimitri Payet was named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards in March. He was also shortlisted by the Premier League for the 2016 PFA Players鈥� Player of the Year award.

7. He became West Ham United鈥檚 Club Record Sale

Payet spent one and a half seasons at West Ham United. In January 2017, Marseille showed interest in signing Dimitri Payet who was also interested in this move.

West Ham United rejected two bids from Marseille with the player declining to play for the club. However, West Ham United finally accepted an offer of 拢25 million. Dimitri Payet became the club鈥檚 record sale.

8. Payet Refused to Take a Pay Cut during Covid-19 Pandemic

The return of Payet to Marseille was successful but there were some controversies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marseille was affected badly financially.

Several players were requested to take pay cuts on their salaries to help the financial struggles of the club. Dimitri Payet who is the top earner refused to take a pay cut. He cited being a supporter of his family.

9. Dimitri Payet Returned a Positive Test for Covid-19 in 2020

Dimitri Payet.Author Supporterh茅ninois.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot surrounded the life of Dimitri Payet both on the pitch and off the pitch. He refused to take the pay cut as other players.

During the testing of all team members, Dimitri Payet returned a positive test for Covid-19. Payet was among the five Marseille players who returned the positive test and had to isolate themselves.

10. He is Widely Known for his Terrific Football Talent

Dimitri Payet is ranked among the top football players in the world with what he delivers while playing. He is a set-piece specialist who is known for his accurate and bending free kicks.

Dimitri Payet鈥檚 best position is as an attacking one who delivers for the attackers and the team. He is blessed with terrific technique and dribbling skills.