Patrice Evra: from the sack at Marseille to joining West Ham

Fiery French footballer Patrice Evra has joined West Ham on a free transfer until the end of the season, reports Sky Sports.

The thought of the self-styled hardman becoming a Hammer will send a shudder through some of the Premier League’s silkiest playmakers, particularly in light of his Uefa ban for assaulting a spectator earlier in the season.

The 36-year-old Evra kung-fu kicked a Marseille fan during a warm-up in November, a moment of madness that resulted in a seven-month Uefa ban and the sack from Marseille. The former Manchester United defender has kept in shape, however, and with the ban relating only to Uefa tournaments he was always on the look-out for a fresh opportunity.

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Sky Sports report that Everton had also made enquiries but the lure of London won out and the veteran will wear the No.27 shirt for the rest of the season.

“I’m really happy to be a Hammer, to be back in the Premier League and I love this game!” exclaimed a delighted Evra, who could make his debut against Watford on Saturday at the London Stadium.

“I am thankful to West Ham for giving me the opportunity to do my job… you don’t realise how lucky you are and just to wake up this morning and know I am going to train with my new team-mates made me smile.”

Evra worked under Hammers boss David Moyes at Manchester United in 2013-14 and it’s apparent that played a factor in his signing the deal.

“My agent called me and told me I needed to come back [from Dubai] to London as quick as I could,” explained Evra. “I had a nice meeting with the manager, who I know from Manchester United, of course, and I met the chairman, so it was really easy.”