Dimitri Payet has revealed that he is grateful to West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic after he received the Hammer of the Year Award last night.

The Frenchman has been West Ham’s driving force this season after joining the club from Marseille last summer.




Payet has thus far scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the east London outfit in the present campaign.

He has played a vital role in helping West Ham reach sixth spot in the league and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they were knocked out by Manchester United last month.
 


And the 29-year-old, who thinks Bilic deserves the credit for turning him into a better player, is thankful to the Croatian tactician for checking up on him when he was out injured.

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“Of course it’s a huge honour and a defining moment for me at the club”, Payet told West Ham TV.

“It’s an award that recognises the hard work I have put in and I’m very happy about it.

“I didn’t think I would adapt this quickly, to be honest.

"I thought it would be harder, but with the fabulous teammates that I have, and the manager and coaching staff, the settling in period was easier than expected.

“Slaven Bilic is very important for me and my confidence.

"He has done everything possible to help me to blossom as a player and when I suffered an injury and had a difficult time, he was the first person to come to my house and check up on me.

“My form has been down to all the squad, the coaches and the medical staff, but I would like to personally thank the manager for all the help and support he has given me.”

Payet, whose present contract with West Ham runs until 2021, is expected to represent France in the European Championship in his homeland in the summer.

He has 17 caps and two goals for France to his name.