Former West Ham favourite Dimitri Payet has admitted he has regrets over his exit from the Premier League side, Squawka reports.
The French international refused to play for the Hammers in January and pushed for a return to boyhood club Marseille; which he eventually secured but only after burning bridges in East London.
Payet’s saga came amongst a difficult time for the Hammers, who were flirting with the relegation spots in the Premier League and needed a huge improvement in the second-half of the campaign.
As it turned out, Payet’s push for an exit proved to be the catalyst for change at the London Stadium as the Hammers soon picked up decisive points to push away from the bottom of the table- although their form has dipped since.
Previously regarded as a fan-favourite at West Ham, where he won Player of the Year last season, Payet’s antics soon saw him become public enemy number one- and the French ace admits he regrets the situation of events.
Speaking to French outlet Canal Football Club, Payet said:
“Yes I have regrets, in so much as I’ll never forget all the love the club and the people gave me.”
“Afterwards, I really can’t hold it against them to have reacted like that. I think they hate me as much as they loved me.”
Payet has rekindled his best form since his return to the south of France, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 11 appearances for the fifth-placed Ligue 1 outfit.