Former West Ham United star Dimitri Payet has called time on a stunning career to have taken him on quite the journey.
Payet has not played for a club since he left Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama in June 2025 and has now taken the decision to retire from the sport.
Optimist or Realist? Share your number and defend it in the comments
A graphic asking West Ham United fans how confident they are of Premie League survivial on a scale of 1-10.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
The Frenchman, of course, thrilled West Ham United for an all too brief spell back in 2015, which ran through to January 2017.
While he invoked the ire of supporters with the manner in which he forced a move back to Marseille in January 2017, Payet loved his time at West Ham.
Indeed, the creative midfielder enjoyed a brilliant career in general but has now confirmed that he is hanging up his boots.
Speaking live on television (via Reuters), Payet said: “I want to take two minutes to thank everybody — to thank all those who shared these 20 years with me. It was something exceptional.
“I come from an island and my dream was to become a professional. I made it and did it for 20 years at the highest level. I managed to play for the national squad, and today is the end of a beautiful journey.”
Dimitri Payet during West Ham United v Chelsea - EFL Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
The real reason Dimitri Payet left West Ham in January 2017
Payet is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in modern history at West Ham but he did largely sully his name with the club’s supporters prior to leaving.
The way in which he forced a move back to Marseille halfway through a campaign was never going to go down well with Irons fans.
Still, Payet has since revealed that the reason he wanted to leave West Ham was because of his family.
That does place things into perspective somewhat. It at least offered context into what initially looked like an ugly saga.
Payet enjoyed a remarkable career, moving to France as a youngster from the island of Reunion and playing at the highest level of the sport.
In total, he made 60 appearances for the Hammers and scored 15 goals while registering 22 assists in the process.
Statistics alone do not do him justice. Payet was an incredible footballer and the only shame is that he didn’t play here in east London for longer.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox