Payet joins Saints

Nantes starlet Dimitri Payet has completed a switch to St Etienne.

Despite Nantes' desire to hold onto Payet following their relegation to Ligue 2, the 20-year-old was determined to quit La Beaujoire.

Payet has now agreed a four-year contract with St Etienne and he could hardly hide his delight to be joining Les Verts.

"St Etienne is the choice from the heart," Payet told L'Equipe.

"After Nantes, I will wear another historical shirt.

"When I came here to play with Nantes I could see how enthusiastic the fans were. I like it very much.

"I had talks with coach Laurent Roussey too. His words confirmed my choice.

"I join St Etienne to improve. I didn't want to play in Ligue 2 with Nantes."

Mali international Mamadou Bagayoko also wants to leave Nantes this summer, but says Les Canaris are restricting his chances of moving.

Bagayoko is back with Nantes after a one-year loan spell in Dubai but does not hope to be with the French club for too much longer.

"I am not interested in playing Ligue 2 football. Since I returned to France I have had a couple of contacts in France and abroad," he said to Football365.

"Nantes told me they want to keep me, but I don't agree. My agent will manage it, if I can leave, I will. I don't want to play there any more.

"Nantes are too greedy. The transfer fee is too high for the last year of the contract."