Ex-Prem star, 29, 'attacked at airport ahead of international duty'

FORMER West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd was assaulted before jetting off on international duty, according to reports.

The Morocco star, 29, was waiting to board a flight from an airport in Marseille ahead of matches against Bahrain and Congo.

2 Nayef Aguerd signed for Marseille in the summer Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

2 The defender made 61 appearances for the Hammers Credit: Getty

But things took an unexpected turn when he was "attacked" in the VIP lounge.

According to BFM Marseille-Provence , Aguerd was approached by a man who asked for his phone number and a selfie.

The man then "raised his voice" and "tried to slap" Aguerd.

Airport security staff were swiftly on the scene and the man was apprehended by police.

Authorities questioned the attacker but Aguerd didn't have time to file a formal complaint before heading off to join his team-mates.

Aguerd joined West Ham in a £30million switch from Rennes in 2022.

He made 61 appearances for the Hammers, scoring four goals, and played in their 2023 Conference League final triumph.

But after spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad, Aguerd was shipped out permanently by London Stadium bosses this summer.

Marseille were the successful deadline day buyers after lodging a £20m bid.

And sporting director Medhi Benatia has since revealed that boss Roberto De Zerbi - who used to manage Brighton - was desperate to get him.

He said: "It's not just because of me that [Aguerd] is here. The truth is, the coach wanted him.

"In the United States, when the coach saw him [during pre-season], he said, ‘Stop everything, I want Nayef Aguerd’."