Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Eli Junior Kroupi

How Eli Junior Kroupi built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Eli Junior Kroupi is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward. He currently plays for Premier League club Bournemouth. The available information identifies him solely based on his professional role as a footballer.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 2021: First call with the under-16

In October 2021, Eli Kroupi received his first call with the France under-16 national team.

2021: Starts playing with the reserve team

In 2021, Eli Kroupi, a product of the Lorient Academy, began playing with the reserve team in the Championnat National 2 towards the end of the 2021-22 season.

2022: Signs first professional contract

In the summer of 2022, Eli Kroupi signed his first professional contract with Lorient. He proved to be a regular goalscorer with the reserve team.

April 2023: First appearance with the professional squad

In April 2023, Eli Kroupi made his first appearance with the professional squad for the Ligue 1 game against Marseille.

May 2023: Selected for European Under-17 Championship

In May 2023, Eli Kroupi was selected by Jean-Luc Vannuchi for the European Under-17 Championship; however, he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

June 2023: Professional Debut for Lorient

On June 3, 2023, Eli Kroupi made his professional debut for Lorient during a home Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg. He became the youngest player in the club's history, breaking Mattéo Guendouzi's record, when he replaced Romain Faivre at the 83rd minute, and his team won the match 2–1.

September 2023: First Ligue 1 Goal

On September 23, 2023, Eli Kroupi scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Lorient in a 5–3 away defeat against Nantes, becoming the youngest scorer in the club's history, breaking André Ayew's previous record.

October 2023: Youngest player to score a brace in Ligue 1

On October 8, 2023, Eli Kroupi became the youngest player to score a brace in Ligue 1 since Bernard Zénier in 1974 after scoring twice in a 3–3 away draw against Lyon, at 17 years old and 107 days.

2024: Played for Lorient

In February 2025, Eli Kroupi was signed to Bournemouth, but remained at Lorient for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

2024: Top scorer in Ligue 2

In the 2024–25 season, Eli Kroupi finished as the top scorer in Ligue 2 with 22 goals, helping Lorient secure promotion back to the top division.

February 2025: Agreed to sign with Bournemouth

On February 3, 2025, Premier League club Bournemouth agreed to sign Eli Kroupi for £10 million, with him remaining at Lorient for the rest of the 2024–25 season.