Iliman Ndiaye (23) left newly-promoted Sheffield United to rejoin childhood club Olympique de Marseille. The Frenchman has now reflected on that decision.
Ndiaye came through the ranks at OM but left for the UK back in 2016. The Senegalese international thrived with Sheffield United in the Championship last season, helping the club back to the Premier League. However, after 88 games for the club, Ndiaye called time on his time in Sheffield this summer. In what was a protracted on-again-off-again saga, Ndiaye ultimately did rejoin Les Phocéens, nine years after leaving the club, for a reported €17m.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Marseille’s UEFA Europa League tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, Ndiaye has now opened up on that decision. “There were lots of reasons behind this choice. It was hard to choose between the Premier League and my childhood club. Playing European matches played into my decision. It was a hard choice and I thought about it a lot. I think I made the right choice in joining OM,” said the Frenchman, in a conference transcribed by RMC Sport.
Ndiaye has one goal at Marseille since his return, scored in the opening minute of last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against AS Monaco. He looks set to start against Brighton on Thursday.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
