West Ham sign Dimitri Payet from Marseille

Aberdeen have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal

West Ham United have completed the signing of France international playmaker Dimitri Payet from Marseille on a five-year contract, the Premier League club announced. Photograph: Getty Images
West Ham United have completed the signing of France international playmaker Dimitri Payet from Marseille on a five-year contract, the Premier League club announced. Photograph: Getty Images

West Ham United have signed attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet from Olympique de Marseille on a five-year deal for at least £10 million, the club said on Friday.

The 28-year-old France international joins the London club for an undisclosed fee but West Ham confirmed it was at least eight figures.

Payet is West Ham's third close-season recruit following the captures of Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang and Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

“West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come,” Payet told the club website.

READ SOME MORE

“That’s very important for me. I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham’s is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions.”

A creative playmaker, Payet chalked up an impressive 17 assists in 36 league games for Marseille last season, netting seven goals in the process.

He brings European experience to West Ham having played a total of 15 times in the Champions League, with the London club set to begin their Europa League campaign on July 2.

The Frenchman said West Ham's new coach Slaven Bilic had played a key role in luring him to the club.

“Firstly I spoke with the manager, who really wished for me to come here and had been watching me a lot,” Payet said.

“He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that too was important in my choice...

“I’m very happy to be here. It’s true that it’s taken a little while but that’s normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it’s done, I’m very happy.”

Elsewhere Aberdeen have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal.

The 22-year-old Wales squad player trained with his new team-mates on Friday and will compete with last season’s number one, Scott Brown, and long-serving Jamie Langfield for the goalkeeper’s jersey.

The former Wrexham player joined Liverpool in 2012 and signed a long-term contract earlier this week after spending time on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Morecambe last season.

Dons boss Derek McInnes told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to get Danny on board. He is a young goalkeeper we have been aware of for some time. We are thankful to Liverpool and Brendan (Rodgers) in particular for allowing this to happen.

“He is someone who is hiberdeen have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal.ghly regarded at his club and they see the importance of getting him out on loan. Danny now has the task and challenge of playing football at a good level with us.

“We have real competition for places in all areas of the team, and we certainly now have that in the goalkeeping position.

“We believe Danny is going to have a good career as he goes forward and we are looking forward to the opportunity of working with him as part of his development.

“He can also help us to be successful.”

Vitesse Arnhem have also signed Chelsea's junior international Lewis Baker on loan for the coming eason, the Dutch club said on Friday.

The 20-year-old, who has played for England at under-20 level, has come through the youth system at Chelsea and had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons. He has played once for Chelsea in a FA Cup tie against Derby in 2014.

Last season Vitesse took Bertrand Traore, Josh McEachran and Wallace on loan from the English champions.

The season before last they had several players on loan from Chelsea, including Lucas Piazon, Sam Hutchinson and Christian Atsu.

The Russian owner of Vitesse, Aleksandr Tsjigirinski, is reportedly a goodfriend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Meanwhile Premier League newcomers Bournemouth have signed left back Tyrone Mings from Ipswich Town on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, the clubs said on Friday.

While Japan striker Shinji Okazaki is poised to join Leicester City from Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a four-year deal subject to a work permit and clearance from soccer's governing body Fifa.

The fee for the 29-year-old, who is prolific in front of goal, is undisclosed but German media reports said it was just over €10 million.

He will be the club’s third signing of the transfer window following German defender Robert Huth from Stoke City and Austria left back Christian Fuchs from Schalke 04.

His 43 goals in 93 internationals make him Japan’s third top scorer while 12 league goals for Mainz last term saw him become the Bundesliga’s all-time leading Japanese marksman.