Ghana and Swansea striker, Jordan Ayew has opened up on why he had to leave Olympique Marseille, insisting playing second fiddle ultimately led to his departure.

The 25-year-old spent six-years with the French giants – first going on loan at Sochaux – before ultimately joining rivals Lorient permanently.

The striker subsequently moved to England, where he now plays for Swansea, having also played for Aston Villa previously.

For a player who rose through the ranks at Marseille, questions were raised at the time as to why he left.

But Ayew insists a lack of playing time meant that he had to find another club.

“In football sometimes you have to make decisions, and I think when I look back, I was right to leave,” Jordan Ayew told Swansea’s official website.

READ ALSO: Andre Ayew reveals the worst injury of his career

“I spent great times at Marseille – we won some trophies – and I could have stayed there, but I don’t think that would have got me to where I wanted to be.

“I wanted to play more. I was always the No. 2 striker at Marseille. Andre-Pierre Gignac was there."

Ayew added that with the 2014 World Cup then looming, staying on the bench at Marseille could have cost him a place in Ghana’s squad.

"When I went to Sochaux, I went to play because I wanted to get to the 2014 World Cup.

“It went very well for me there and after that I didn’t want to be on the bench again, so when I had the chance to go to Lorient, I took it.

“I wanted to be a No.1 striker and score goals, and that’s what happened."

Jordan Ayew spent six-years at Olympique Marseille, winning the Ligue 1 title, as well as the French Super Cup with the side.