Dimitri Payet was born on 29/03/1987 in Saint-Pierre, Réunion. He began his career playing for local clubs Saint-Philippe and Saint-Pierroise. In 1999, he moved to metropolitan France, joining Le Havre. In 2005, he joined FC Nantes and, after a successful 2006–07 season, joined AS Saint-Étienne on a four-year contract. In June 2011, Payet joined Lille. He had two years there and a further two at Olympique de Marseille before moving abroad to join West Ham United. In 2017 he moved back to Marseille. A set-piece specialist, he primarily plays as an attacking midfielder.