Dimitri Payet has told West Ham that he “does not need to justify” his behaviour, which led to his sale to Marseille.
Marseille complete €25m Payet deal
The France international completed his £25 million move back to Stade Velodrome on Sunday, and at his presentation with the Provence club on Monday, he told the London outfit that he does not feel guilty at having forced their hand.
Payet made clear his desire to depart the Olympic Stadium for France at the beginning of the month, angering many Hammers supporters , yet the 29-year-old has little remorse.
“Slaven Bilic has his opinion, but I don’t need to justify my behaviour,” he said as he was unveiled to the media.
“It’s been a long time coming because I started my wrestling with West Ham a long time ago. If it had not been done, I would have assumed my responsibilities. But I did not feel very good there.”
Payet's poker: Why he forced Marseille move
The opportunity to return to OM, where he did not want to depart 18 months ago, was one he was determined not to pass up.
Under the new ownership of Frank McCourt, Marseille have signed the likes of Patrice Evra and Morgan Sanson in a promising project.
“This is what I wanted, it was clear from the start,” he revealed. “Thanks to all the Marseille staff for doing what was necessary.
“I wanted to leave for this project which is just starting. It’s come during a period when I was really missing France.”
OM president Jacques Henri Eyraud revealed that the player made a personal sacrifice to join the club.
“Dimitri Payet has accepted a significant reduction in his wage to come here,” he revealed.
Payet will hope to make his second OM debut in midweek, when they host Olympique Lyonnais in the Coupe de France.