Olympique Marseille fans have branded new signing Joey Barton 'a hooligan', though also a 'sweet and tender' one!

QPR midfielder Barton has begun his Marseille career after being unveiled by club chiefs ahead of the Ligue 1 clash with Stade Rennais.

And the Marseille fans welcomed their new midfielder by unveiling a banner with the words 'Welcome Sweet and Tender Hooligan' which is a reference to a song by Barton's favorite band, The Smiths.

The banner clearly pleased Barton who tweeted: "I already love the fans of L'OM. The Smiths banner is impressive? Non?"