Payet bolts Hammers to nail new Marseille deal

France international Dimitri Payet said on Monday he didn't have to justify his behavior after forcing a return to Marseille from West Ham for a club-record transfer fee.

Payet has rejoined the Ligue 1 side on a four-and-a-half-year deal after Marseille shelled out $31.3 million on Sunday to bring him back to the Stade Velodrome.

"It's what I wanted. It was clear from the start," Payet told a media conference after concluding an acrimonious divorce from West Ham.

"Thanks to all the staff for doing what was needed. I wanted to be part of this project that is just getting started. It came around at a time when I really missed France."

The 29-year-old received a warm welcome on his return to his former club, but he refused to apologize for the controversial manner in which he left England.

Payet starred for the Premier League side last season, scoring 12 goals and being named to the PFA Team of the Year, but when the transfer window opened earlier this month he refused to play as his priority was a return to France.

"It was a bit drawn out because I started my standoff with West Ham a long time ago.

"If this hadn't gone through I would have resigned myself to live with it," said Payet.

"But I didn't feel very good over there. (West Ham boss) Slaven Bilic had his view, but I don't have to justify my behavior.

"I had an amazing year in England. It didn't finish how we had hoped, but I'll have very good memories of West Ham supporters."

Payet could make his Marseille debut - for the second time - in Tuesday's clash against Lyon in the last 32 of the French Cup.

The mercurial midfielder signed a five-and-a-half-year contract worth $50,000 a week with the Hammers last February, but Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said Payet "had accepted a signification reduction in pay" to resign with the nine-time French champion.