Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Olivier Giroud

How Olivier Giroud built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Olivier Giroud is a French professional footballer renowned for his prolific goal-scoring record and contributions to both club and country. He is known for his height, aerial ability, link-up play, and finishing. A World Cup winner with France in 2018, Giroud has also played for major European clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan. He is France's all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing Thierry Henry. Currently, he plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1958: Record Breaker

In May 2019, Olivier Giroud set a new record for most goals by a French player in a single European season, breaking the previous record held jointly by Just Fontaine (achieved during the 1958–59 European Cup).

1963: Record Breaker

In May 2019, Olivier Giroud set a new record for most goals by a French player in a single European season, breaking the previous record held jointly by Nestor Combin (achieved during the 1963–64 European Cup Winners' Cup).

2001: Called up to under-16 team

In 2001, Olivier Giroud was called up to the under-16 team for a training camp at Clairefontaine academy, but he was not called up again for the 2001-02 campaign.

2005: Promoted to Grenoble's Reserve Team

Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Olivier Giroud was promoted to Grenoble's reserve team, playing in the Championnat de France Amateur 2.

March 2006: Senior Team Call-Up and Professional Debut

In March 2006, Olivier Giroud was called up to the Grenoble senior team and made his professional debut on 27 March in a 1–1 draw with Gueugnon in Ligue 2.

2006: Promotion to Senior Team

For the 2006–07 season, Olivier Giroud was permanently promoted to the Grenoble senior team and assigned the number 22 shirt.

February 2007: First Professional Goal

On 26 February 2007, Olivier Giroud scored his first professional goal, netting the injury time winner against Le Havre.

2007: Loan to Istres

In 2007, Olivier Giroud spent the 2007–08 season on loan at Istres in the Championnat National to earn more playing time.

May 2008: Agreement with Tours

On 28 May 2008, Olivier Giroud agreed to a three-year deal with Ligue 2 club Tours.

September 2008: Club Debut for Tours

In September 2008, Olivier Giroud made his club debut for Tours on 3 September in a 2–1 defeat to Boulogne in the Coupe de la Ligue. He made his league debut a week later.

2008: Signed with Tours

In 2008, at the age of 21, Olivier Giroud signed with Tours after beginning his senior club career with Grenoble.

August 2009: First League Goal

On 18 August 2009, Olivier Giroud scored his first league goal for Tours against Le Havre in a win.

2009: Loaned back to Tours

In January 2010, Olivier Giroud signed with Ligue 1 club Montpellier, and was loaned back to Tours until the end of the 2009–10 season.

2009: Sponsorship by Puma

Since 2009, Olivier Giroud has been sponsored by Puma.

January 2010: Signed with Montpellier

On 26 January 2010, Olivier Giroud signed with Ligue 1 club Montpellier from Tours on a three-and-a-half-year deal for €2 million, and was loaned back to Tours until the end of the 2009–10 season.

February 2010: First Goal After Transfer

In February 2010, Olivier Giroud scored his first goal after transferring to Montpellier, converting one on 19 February 2010 in a win over Arles-Avignon while still playing for Tours on loan.

July 2010: Joined Montpellier and European Debut

On 1 July 2010, Olivier Giroud officially joined Montpellier. On 29 July, he made his club and European debut in the UEFA Europa League against Győri ETO, scoring his first goal for the club.

2010: Arsenal's First Victory at the City of Manchester Stadium Since 2010

On January 18, 2015, Giroud scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory against Manchester City, marking Arsenal's first victory at the City of Manchester Stadium since 2010.

May 2011: Contract Extension with Montpellier

On 31 May 2011, Olivier Giroud signed a contract extension with Montpellier until 2014 after finishing the season as the club's top scorer.

November 2011: Montpellier Topped the League Table

In November 2011, Montpellier topped the league table due to Giroud's performance and the team's overall success.

November 2011: First call up to national team

In November 2011, Olivier Giroud received his first call-up to the French national team for friendly matches against the United States and Belgium and made his international debut against the United States.

2011: Early Season Form and Nickname

In 2011, Olivier Giroud started the season strong, scoring in the first two league matches against Auxerre and Lille, both of which Montpellier won. Following a double against Brest, he was nicknamed "le buteur de charme" (the charm striker) by Le Parisien, which was then picked up by other French media outlets.

2011: Senior International Debut for France

In 2011, at age 25, Olivier Giroud made his senior international debut for the France national team.

January 2012: Transfer Rumors

In January 2012, Giroud was linked with transfers to other clubs. Montpellier's owner, Louis Nicollin, stated that one club was "not big enough" for Giroud and that he would cost "at least €50 or €60 million."

March 2012: Victory Over Saint-Étienne

On March 24, 2012, Giroud scored in a 1–0 win over Saint-Étienne. This victory placed Montpellier at the top of the league table, where they remained for the rest of the season, eventually winning their first league title.

June 2012: Signing with Arsenal

On June 26, 2012, Giroud signed a long-term contract with Arsenal for around £9.6 million (€12.4 million). He was given the number 12 shirt.

December 2012: Brace Against Newcastle United

On December 29, 2012, Giroud scored two goals in a game against Newcastle United after coming on as a substitute, contributing to Arsenal's 7-3 victory.

2012: Move to Montpellier and Ligue 1 Title

In 2012, Olivier Giroud moved to Montpellier for €2 million, winning the club's first Ligue 1 title and finishing as the league's top goalscorer.

April 2013: Victory Against Norwich City

In April 2013, Giroud played a significant role in Arsenal's 3-1 win against Norwich City, winning a penalty, scoring a goal, and providing an assist. He also received his first red card for Arsenal against Fulham.

2013: Goal in Opening Game and North London Derby

In 2013, Giroud scored in the opening game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa, a 3–1 loss for Arsenal. He also scored the only goal in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on September 1.

March 2014: FA Cup Quarter-Final Goals

In March 2014, Giroud scored twice against Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final, helping Arsenal to a 4–1 victory.

May 2014: Named in squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup

In May 2014, Olivier Giroud was named in France's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

September 2014: New Contract at Arsenal

On September 30, 2014, which was his 28th birthday, Giroud signed a new contract at Arsenal, keeping him at the club until 2018 and increasing his weekly wage to £80,000.

2014: FA Community Shield Goal and Injury

In 2014, Giroud scored in the FA Community Shield against Manchester City, winning his second title for Arsenal and being named man of the match. Shortly after, he broke his left tibia and was ruled out for four months after scoring against Everton on August 22.

2014: Goal Against Aston Villa

In 2014, Giroud scored on his return to the first team against Aston Villa after an ankle injury, in a match that ended 2–1 in Arsenal's favor.

2014: Face of Hugo Boss's Boss Bottled Fragrance

In 2014, Olivier Giroud became the face of Hugo Boss's Boss Bottled men's fragrance. He cited David Beckham as an inspiration for his style.

2014: Contract Extension with Montpellier

On 31 May 2011, Olivier Giroud signed a contract extension with Montpellier until 2014 after finishing the season as the club's top scorer.

October 2015: Goal Against Bayern Munich

On October 20, 2015, Giroud came off the bench to score the first goal in a 2-0 win against Bayern Munich in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League group stage.

2015: Giroud's Performances

In May 2016, Olivier Giroud ended a run of 15 Premier League matches without a goal. Also in the 2015-2016 season, Giroud had 16 goals in the Premier League and 24 in all competitions.

2015: FA Cup Final Goal

On May 30, 2015, Giroud scored Arsenal's fourth goal in the team's 4-0 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.

May 2016: Goal Against Manchester City

On May 8, 2016, Giroud scored in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City to end a run of 15 Premier League matches without a goal. He also assisted the team's second goal.

August 2016: Puma Advert and FIFA 16 Inclusion

In August 2016, Olivier Giroud starred in an advert for Puma with Antoine Griezmann. Giroud's ‘Glamour slide’ goal celebration was included in EA Sports' FIFA 16.

October 2016: Two Goals Against Sunderland

On October 29, 2016, Giroud scored two goals with his first two touches after coming on as a substitute in Arsenal's 4-1 win against Sunderland.

January 2017: Scorpion Kick Goal

On January 1, 2017, Giroud scored a backheeled "scorpion kick" volley in a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. This goal was later awarded the FIFA Puskás Award for the goal of the year.

January 2017: New Contract with Arsenal

On January 12, 2017, Giroud signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, along with teammates Francis Coquelin and Laurent Koscielny.

September 2017: 100th Goal for Arsenal

On September 28, 2017, Giroud scored his 100th goal for Arsenal during a Europa League group game against BATE Borisov, which Arsenal won 4-2.

January 2018: Signing with Chelsea

On January 31, 2018, Giroud signed an 18-month contract with Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.

May 2018: Called up to French squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup

In May 2018, Olivier Giroud was called up to the 23-man French squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

June 2018: Equalled Zinedine Zidane's record

On 28 May 2018, Giroud scored his 31st international goal for France during a home game against Ireland, equalling Zinedine Zidane's record, and becoming the fourth highest goal scorer of all time for the country.

November 2018: Voice Role in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

In November 2018, it was confirmed that Olivier Giroud had a role in the French-dubbed version of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as the voice of the Green Goblin. He was joined by Presnel Kimpembe, who voiced Scorpion.

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2018: Signed for Chelsea

In 2018, Olivier Giroud signed for Chelsea for £18 million (€20.7 million).

2018: Contract End Date

In September 2014, Olivier Giroud signed a contract with Arsenal that would keep him at the club until 2018.

May 2019: New Contract with Chelsea and Europa League Final Goal

In May 2019, Giroud signed a new contract with Chelsea through the 2019–20 season. On May 29, he scored in Chelsea's 4–1 win over his former club Arsenal in the Europa League final.

May 2020: Giroud signs new one-year contract with Chelsea

In May 2020, Olivier Giroud signed a new one-year contract with Chelsea, securing his place with the club for another season.

October 2020: 100th match for France and surpasses Platini

On October 7, 2020, Olivier Giroud played his 100th match for France and scored twice, surpassing Michel Platini's total to rank second for France with 42 goals.

June 2021: Chelsea triggers one-year contract extension for Giroud

In June 2021, Chelsea announced they had triggered a one-year contract extension for Olivier Giroud, keeping him at the club for the upcoming season.

July 2021: Giroud transfers to AC Milan

In July 2021, AC Milan announced the permanent transfer of Olivier Giroud from Chelsea on a two-year contract.

2021: Signed for AC Milan and Serie A Title

In 2021, Olivier Giroud signed for AC Milan, helping them win the 2021–22 Serie A, which ended the club's 11-year league title drought.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup Performance and Bronze Boot

In 2022, Olivier Giroud played in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored two goals against Australia on November 22, equalling Thierry Henry's record. Giroud broke the record against Poland on December 4, becoming France's all-time top scorer. On December 10, he scored the winning goal against England. France lost to Argentina in the final. Giroud was awarded the Bronze Boot for scoring four goals in the tournament.

2022: World Cup Quarter-Final Jersey Auction

In June 2023, Giroud auctioned the jersey he wore during France's 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final victory to support Armenian victims. The jersey sold for €35,000 at a fundraiser to help persecuted Christians.

June 2023: Jersey Auction for Armenian Victims

In June 2023, Olivier Giroud auctioned the jersey he wore during France's 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final victory to support Armenian victims of the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh. The jersey sold for €35,000.

May 2024: Retirement Announcement and Final Match

In May 2024, Olivier Giroud announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2024. His final match was a substitute appearance in a 2–1 semi-final defeat against Spain.