Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Dimitri Payet, long-time Marseille footballer, is set to embark on a new journey with Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, as the Rio de Janeiro club unveiled a “pre-contract” agreement on Sunday. This transition for the former France international comes after he approved his departure from Ligue 1 club Marseille before the final year of his contract expired last month. Brazil, a nation full of soccer fervor, presents Payet with a different perspective to embrace new challenges and discover a new championship.
The Brazilian team announced on social media: “Our number 10 is here! Payet has signed a pre-contract with Vasco. He will arrive in Rio in the next few days to take his medical exams and sign his contract“.
According to local media reports, the 36-year-old is set to join the club that has alternated between the first and second divisions in recent seasons, on a contract that runs until 2025.
After representing France with eight goals in 48 games, Payet says goodbye to Marseille, where he won the adoration of the fans in two separate spells, spanning a total of eight seasons. He also had a spell at Premier League side West Ham from 2015 to 2017, making 49 appearances and scoring 11 goals before returning to Marseille. As his time at the Velodrome draws to a close, Payet leaves behind a legacy of 326 appearances and 78 goals for the club, albeit without a silver medal to show for his dedication.
In his final season, Payet found himself out of sync with the plans of former coach Igor Tudor. He made just 26 appearances, scoring four goals and often ensuring only fleeting moments on the pitch during matches, especially in the final moments of the season, which culminated in Marseille winning third place in Ligue 1.