Payet sets Ligue 1 record as stunning post-West Ham career continues to flourish

Dimitri Payet has become the first player in Ligue 1 history to register 100 goals and assists after scoring against Ajaccio.

The Frenchman's strike from the penalty spot bought up his century of goals in his homeland having returned there after a period with West Ham United. Payet's quality was evident during his 18 months in east London, albeit he left under a cloud back in January 2017.

It is with Marseille and Lille that Payet has made his name though with the playmaker renowned for his creative influence as well as his eye for goal. The 35-year-old has spent 17 seasons of his career playing in Ligue 1 and has become the first to bring up the century in both attacking categories.

Legendary figures like Zinedine Zidane, Michael Platini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all failed to do so, albeit they did not play in France's top flight for as long a period. Kylian Mbappe will no doubt match Payet's accomplishment in the future, but right now it is only the Marseille man in the elite club.

Payet's penalty on Saturday afternoon was his first goal of the season, although it came as Marseille were beaten at the Stade Velodrome. His best goalscoring season came during his time at Saint Etienne, where he scored 13 times in 2010/11. That is one of three occasions in which he's hit double figures.

Payet has never won the Ligue 1 title despite playing for some of its major outfits, but has been named in the Team of the Season on three occasions - the most recent of which came last year, when he was also named Marseille's Player of the Year for a second time.

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The former Hammer, now in his mid 30s, has more than justified his return to the south of France. He was signed by West Ham ahead of their final year at Upton Park, becoming their Player of the Year after proving to be a sensation. He scored 12 times in all competitions and made the PFA Team of the Year.

During his stellar Premier League year his manager Slaven Bilic said: "I don't see better players than him. On the ball, he is there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far. Dimitri is one of the best I have trained."

It was Payet's abrupt exit from London that left a sour taste in the mouth. The Frenchman had not found the same form in his second year at West Ham, who were struggling after their stadium move. The player made his desire to leave known and the club eventually had to grant him his wish.

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