Born on September 30, 1986, in Chambéry, France, Olivier Jonathan Giroud grew up in the nearby village of Froges, close to Grenoble. His education went hand in hand with his passion for football, earning a university degree in economics and social sciences, while also completing his second year in science and techniques of sports activities at Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble. His footballing journey began at his hometown club, Olympique Club de Froges, where he trained for six years before joining the professional club Grenoble at the age of 13.
Club Career
Grenoble
Giroud spent the developing years in Grenoble’s youth academy before signing his first professional contract at 21. Ahead of the 2005–06 season, a significant moment in his development as a player happened when he was promoted to the reserve team, playing in the Championnat de France Amateur 2, the fifth level of French football. Giroud quickly climbed the ranks becoming a key player, scoring 15 goals in 15 matches.
Manager Thierry Goudet noticed his performances giving him six appearances in the senior team that season. For the 2006–07 season, Giroud was permanently promoted to the senior team by new manager Payton Pouliquen and his first professional goal on came in a match against Le Havre. Moreover, Giroud finished the season with 18 appearances and two goals as Grenoble finished in fifth place.
Loan to Istres
To branch out more in the game, Giroud was loaned to Istres in the Championnat National for the 2007–08 season, scoring 14 goals in the first season under manager Frédéric Arpinon. Despite showing signs of a prolific striker in the loan spell, Grenoble’s new manager Mehmed Baždarević added him to the transfer list.
Tours (2008 to 2010)
The next stop was a three-year tenure with Ligue 2 under manager Daniel Sanchez. He finished his first season with Tours with 14 goals in 27 appearances. Giroud was promoted as the lead striker next season, scoring two goals in the opening match of the season and the impressive form with multiple goals earned him the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award and the league’s top goalscorer title with 21 league goals.
Montpellier (2010 to 2012)
Giroud joined Montpellier on 1 July 2010 and scored on his debut in UEFA Europa League. Several crucial goals followed throughout the season, including game-winners in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue. but ended the campaign as runner-up in Coupe de la Ligue.
The 2011–12 season began strong, registering goals in the first two league matches and maintaining a prolific scoring rate. His outstanding season earned him widespread recognition as he finished as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, leading Montpellier to their first-ever Ligue 1 title.
Arsenal (2012 to 2018)
England was the next hub for Giroud as he agreed to wear the Arsenal colours for a fee of around £9.6 million (€12.4 million). He made his debut in August 2012 and scored his first goal in a League Cup game match against Coventry City while finishing the debut season with 17 goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances
2013–15: Ending the Trophy Drought
Giroud scored several important goals and played a key role in Arsenal winning their first trophy in nine years beating Hull City in the FA final. In the following seasons, his contribution became more valuable in Arsenal’s Community Shield and FA Cup victories.
2015–18: Premier League Runner-Up, Third FA Cup
However, He scored his first hat-trick against Olympiacos to help Arsenal advance in the Champions League and finished the season with 24 goals in all competitions. In the 2016–17 Giroud’s memorable “scorpion kick” goal against Crystal Palace, earned him the FIFA Puskás Award. By the end of his Arsenal career, he had scored 105 goals for the club.
Chelsea (2018 to 2021)
2018–20: Fourth FA Cup and Europa League Victory
For an undisclosed fee, Giroud signed an 18-month contract with Chelsea. Five days later, he made his debut and became an influential player, in the Blues FA Cup and UEFA Europa League victories during his time at the club.
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2020–21: Crucial Contributions and Records
Giroud’s career slowly progressed with crucial goals that helped Chelsea advance in the Champions League especially the decisive one against Rennes, securing their spot in the knockout phase. Later, he made history becoming the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick, netting all four goals against Sevilla while also becoming the oldest player to score in six consecutive starts for Chelsea in the Premier League.
AC Milan
2021-2024: Serie A Success and Leadership
In 2021 Giroud moved to Italian giants AC Milan and became pivotal as the season progressed, scoring crucial and his standout moments include braces against Inter Milan and Lazio and a clutch finish against Napoli. All the efforts culminated in Milan winning the Serie A title, their first in eleven years. With time, his leadership and scoring prowess became evident, including a memorable stand between the posts as a goalkeeper in a critical match against Genoa.
Los Angeles FC 2024: A New Chapter in MLS
After a successful stint in Italy, America is the next calling for the French who are looking to make a mark in Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.
Club stats
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals |
| Grenoble | 2005–06 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | 19 | 2 | |
| Istres (loan) | 2007–08 | 34 | 14 |
| Tours | 2008–09 | 26 | 13 |
| 2009–10 | 41 | 23 | |
| Montpellier | 2010–11 | 43 | 14 |
| 2011–12 | 42 | 25 | |
Arsenal | 2012–13 | 47 | 17 |
| 2013–14 | 51 | 22 | |
| 2014–15 | 36 | 19 | |
| 2015–16 | 53 | 24 | |
| 2016–17 | 40 | 16 | |
| 2017–18 | 26 | 7 | |
| Chelsea | 2017–18 | 18 | 5 |
| 2018–19 | 45 | 13 | |
| 2019–20 | 25 | 10 | |
| 2020–21 | 31 | 11 | |
| AC Milan | 2021–22 | 38 | 14 |
| 2022–23 | 47 | 18 | |
| 2023–24 | 47 | 17 | |
| Total | 694 | 284 | |
International Career
2001-2012: Early Steps and Senior Debut
From 2001 to 2012, Olivier Giroud’s journey in international football began without caps in the national youth teams training alongside future stars like Yoann Gourcuff and Yohan Cabaye at Clairefontaine Academy in the U-16 team. However, after this initial call-up, he did not feature any more in the tournament. The official senior breakthrough at the senior level came under national coach Laurent Blanc who included him in the squad for the friendlies. Giroud described his national debut as a childhood dream fulfilled.
2012-2016: Establishing as a Key Player
Giroud, established himself as a key player for France after equalizing against Spain in a World Cup qualifier and became pivotal in the Euro 2016 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup campaigns, although losing the final to Portugal.
2017-2024: World Cup Glory and Records
Giroud was part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia proving vital in facilitating the offensive prowess of teammates like Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé. From 2019 to 2021. He even built a legacy as one of France’s greatest goalscorers, surpassing Michel Platini in international goals. His recent achievements include winning the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and breaking Thierry Henry’s longstanding record by becoming France’s all-time top scorer.
International stats
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
France | 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 8 | |
| 2017 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2018 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 7 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 135 | 57 | |
Net worth
As of 2024, Giroud is estimated to be around $22 million worth with his primary source of income coming from football.
Honours
Montpellier
- Ligue 1: 2011–12
Arsenal
- FA Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17
- FA Community Shield: 2014, 2015, 2017
Chelsea
- FA Cup: 2017–18; Runner-up: 2019–20, 2020–21
- UEFA Champions League: 2020–21
- UEFA Europa League: 2018–19
AC Milan
- Serie A: 2021–22
France
- FIFA World Cup: 2018; Runner-up: 2022
- UEFA European Championship Runner-up: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2020–21
Individual
- UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2011–12
- Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer: 2011–12
- Premier League Player of the Month: March 2015
- UNFP Ligue 2 Player of the Year: 2009–10
- Ligue 2 Top Goalscorer: 2009–10
- UNFP Ligue 2 Team of the Year: 2009–10
- Ligue 2 UNFP Player of the Month: September 2009, November 2009
- UEFA European Championship Bronze Boot: 2016
- FIFA Puskás Award: 2017
- FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot: 2022
- UEFA Europa League Top Goalscorer: 2018–19
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
- Chelsea Goal of the Season: 2020–21
- 2023–24 Serie A Matchweek 8 Best Goalkeeper
Orders
- Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2018
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