Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Mon 23 March 2026 16:10, UK

Dimitri Payet, the former West Ham United star, has announced his retirement from football.

The Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the best players to ever play for the Hammers and quickly became a fan favourite with his exploits in East London.

Magical free-kicks and wild skills were a regular sight when the 38-year-old was playing for the Irons, and he was a truly gifted player.

Here, West Ham Zone looks back on his best moments in claret and blue after his decision to call it quits.

West Ham fans would love a player like Payet at the moment, that is for sure.

5.) West Ham 2-0 Newcastle – 14 September 2015 – A sign of things to come

Payet announced himself to the West Ham supporters with a brace in his third game for the club in the 2-0 Upton Park win over Newcastle.

The French ace curled the ball past Tim Krul from the edge of the area to seal his first before notching his second when Victor Moses’ effort rebounded off the crossbar.

He went on to score 15 goals in 60 appearances for the club, but those two are among the most memorable, as it was the first time that Hammers fans had seen what he was capable of.

4.) Blackburn Rovers 1-5 West Ham – 21 February 2016 – A stunning solo effort

Payet notched two goals in the 5-1 away win at Blackburn in the FA Cup fifth round clash, but his second was a real thing of beauty.

He had previously scored a 36th-minute free-kick to give his side a 2-1 lead in the contest, before a stunning solo effort wrapped things up in the closing stages.

He ran from the halfway line, took on a defender and finished a shot into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.

3.) West Ham 2-4 Watford – 10 September 2016 – A truly magical assist

West Ham were defeated 4-2 by Watford in September 2016 but Payet still lit up the contest with another memorable moment.

He produced a rabona cross, which Michail Antonio headed home as the Hammers took a 2-0 lead over the Hornets.

Unfortunately, the visitors launched a stunning comeback, but that does not take the shine off his magical assist.

2.) Manchester United 1-1 West Ham – 13 March 2016 – Another brilliant free-kick

The Irons may have come out second best against Man United in the FA Cup quarter-finals in April 2016, but Payet still enhanced his reputation.

The game at Old Trafford resulted in a 1-1 draw, with the French wizard scoring another sensational set-piece attempt.

His free-kick from 30 yards out smashed off the post, leaving David de Gea helpless between the sticks, and while the E20 outfit would lose the replay 2-1 and be eliminated, it was still another brilliant moment.

1.) West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace – 2 April 2016 – His best goal for the Hammers

There will be no argument over what Payet’s best goal for the club was, as the free-kick in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace was one of the most magical efforts the Premier League has ever seen.

He launched a looping effort over the wall and into the top corner despite Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey standing on that side of the goal.

There could have been two walls on top of each other, and it still would have gone in, it was a truly remarkable strike and only affirmed Payet’s status as a top-class player.