Former Marseille striker Jordan Ayew has shed light on his frustrations which prompted his exit from the club.
Having passed through the club's academy system, the 25-year-old spent six years with the senior setup before joining Sochaux on loan in 2014 due to limited first team opportunities at Stade Velodrome.
After netting five times in 17 league appearances on loan, the forward permanently parted ways with Les Phoceens, joining Lorient on a four-year deal.
“When I first left Marseille, it was hard for me. I knew the club – the club was like my family,” Ayew said, as reported by the official website of current club Swansea City.
“I knew everyone from the security guard on the gate to the gardeners. I knew everybody and they were all my friends.
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“But in football sometimes you have to make decisions, and I think when I look back that I was right to leave.
“I spent great times at Marseille – we won some trophies – and I could have stayed there, but I don’t think that would have got me to where I wanted to be.
“I wanted to play more. I was always the No. 2 striker at Marseille. Andre-Pierre Gignac was there."
In all, Ayew made a total of 48 league starts for Marseille.
Despite his limited opportunities, the Ghanaian enjoyed overall success with Les Phoceens, having won one Ligue 1 trophy, two league cups and one super cup.
"When I went to Sochaux, I went to play because I wanted to get to the 2014 World Cup," the Black Star said.
“It went very well for me there and after that I didn’t want to be on the bench again, so when I had the chance to go to Lorient, I took it.
“I wanted to be a No.1 striker and score goals, and that’s what happened."
After just one season with Lorient, Ayew was on the move again, joining English outfit Aston Villa, from whom he moved to current side Swansea.
