Thanks For the help

You signed a contract, you entered into an agreement. Your previous employer paid out considerable monies for you and all they asked for was one year of employment. One year only.

It is great you got this better job, you will need the extra money to pay back your first employer. No sympathy from me. Many others would gladly have taken your previous employer's offer and worked the year and be glad.

Yes, your previous employer can take legal action. You are the one who violated the terms of your employment, not them.

Ok, you owe the money not only legally but also morally, You signed that you would pay them back if you quit within a year. So why are you surprised??

It was a legal contract once you signed it.