West Ham United defender James Collins has spoken of his excitement at the club's new signing Dimitri Payet.

Payet starred for Marseille last season and became new West Ham boss Slaven Bilic's prime target in the summer transfer window.

Having completed the signing earlier this month, Collins believes that Payet will be a hit at the east London club.

Collins said: "He's a special player. I played with him at Southend in the first half and he was by a million miles the best player on the pitch.

"He's a tremendous signing for the club. He's going to create so many chances and score goals as well.

"You can see it from the day he walked in he's kept himself fit. He's come in and speaks very good English and gets on with the lads.

"It's an exciting time to have players like that in the squad."