Ntcham swapped Celtic Park for the Orange Vélodrome on transfer deadline day, but the incumbent coach expressed his wish to leave the club the next day, the former France Under-21 midfielder's arrival one of a number of things he was unhappy with.

Winners of the inaugural UEFA Champions League in 1993, and 10-time Ligue 1 Uber Eats champions, OM have occupied the European places for nine of the 23 domestic rounds played to date, and still have two games in hand on most of the teams above them in the table. Ntcham is optimistic.

'Biggest club in France'

"Olympique de Marseille is the biggest club in France, with the greatest fervour and the greatest supporters," he said in his first interview with the club's official website. "They've accomplished great things in French and European football too."

A Le Havre AC academy player who was given his first professional contract by Manchester City, Ntcham has also played for Genoa in Italy as well as for Scottish champions Celtic. Although he was born in Longjumeau in the southern suburbs of Paris, Ntcham is yet to play a senior game in his homeland.

"It's the first time I've come to Ligue 1, it's a new experience," explained to 24-year-old. "It's a very big championship with great teams who've had good runs in the Champions League and the Europa League. It's a new challenge for me."

Glistening trophy cabinet

Ntcham won eight major honours in Scotland and says he is unfazed at the prospect of making his Marseille debut against Classique rivals Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, whether or not he starts.

"Having a player like me who's played a lot in the Champions League or the Europa League, I think that's always an asset," he said. "I'm going to bring my personality already, energise it, bring a lot of positivity, I hope we'll do great things together."