Paris, Feb 3 (IANS): Olympique Marseille President Jacques-Henri Eyraud has hailed the decisive role played by the French football club's Sports Director Andoni Zubizarreta in the new winter signings.

Eyraud, the confidant of Marseilles owner American Frank McCourt said on Thursday to L'Equipe daily that Zubizarreta was a fundamental pillar in the winter transfer window, reports Efe.

Eyraud explained that the sports director was the decisive element in singing veteran defender Patrice Evra.

In addition to signing Evra from Juventus, Marseille also signed Dimitri Payet from West Ham for about 30 million euros ($32.3 million), one of the most expensive signings of this winter transfer window in Europe.

The French side also spent another $10 million to sign midfielder Morgan Sanson from Montpellier.

Eyraud also explained that Zubizarreta, former Barcelona sports director, also served as a filter for the club's choices in the winter transfer window.