History of Olivier Giroud in Timeline
Olivier Giroud is a French professional soccer player known for his role as a striker. He currently plays for AC Milan and the French national team, holding the record for the most goals scored for France. In July 2024, he is set to join Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC.
September 1986: Birth of Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud was born in September 1986.
1993: Coupe de la Ligue Final Appearance
Montpellier reached the Coupe de la Ligue final but lost 1-0 to Marseille. This was Montpellier's first major final appearance since the 1993-1994 season.
2001: Early Steps in Football
In 2001, a young Olivier Giroud was invited to train with France's under-16 team but wasn't selected for the official squad. This experience likely fueled his determination in the years that followed.
2005: Promotion to Grenoble's Reserve Team
Giroud was promoted to Grenoble's reserve team ahead of the 2005-2006 season.
March 2006: Professional Debut
Olivier Giroud made his professional debut as a late-match substitute in a 1-1 draw against Gueugnon in Ligue 2, on March 27th 2006.
2006: Permanent Promotion to Senior Team
Olivier Giroud was permanently promoted to Grenoble's senior team for the 2006-2007 season.
February 2007: First Professional Goal
Olivier Giroud scored his first professional goal for Grenoble in February 2007, securing an injury-time victory against Le Havre.
2007: Loan to Istres
Olivier Giroud was loaned to Istres in the Championnat National for the 2007-2008 season to gain playing experience.
May 2008: Agreement with Tours FC
Olivier Giroud agreed to a three-year deal with Ligue 2 club Tours FC in May 2008.
September 2008: Debut for Tours FC
Olivier Giroud made his debut for Tours FC on September 3, 2008, in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Boulogne, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
2008: Giroud Signs with Tours FC
At age 21, Olivier Giroud signed with Tours FC in 2008.
February 2009: Double Against Nîmes and Injury
In February 2009, while playing for Tours, Giroud scored a double against Nîmes but suffered an injury that sidelined him for three league matches.
August 2009: First Ligue 2 Goal and Four-Goal Performance
Giroud scored his first league goal for Tours against Le Havre in August 2009. Later that month, he achieved another four-goal game in a 4-2 win over Arles-Avignon.
2009: Ligue 2 Top Scorer and Player of the Year
Giroud finished the 2009-2010 season as the top goal scorer in Ligue 2, earning him the UNFP Ligue 2 Player of the Year award.
2009: Puma Sponsorship Begins
Olivier Giroud's sponsorship with Puma began in 2009.
January 2010: Transfer to Montpellier
In January 2010, Giroud signed with Montpellier but was loaned back to Tours for the remainder of the season.
February 2010: Continued Success at Tours
Giroud continued his scoring streak for Tours in February 2010 after his transfer to Montpellier was announced.
July 2010: Montpellier Debut and First Goal
Giroud made his debut for Montpellier and scored his first goal for the club in July 2010 during a UEFA Europa League qualifying match.
November 2010: Game-Winning Goals
Giroud scored crucial game-winning goals for Montpellier in consecutive matches against Toulouse and Nice in November 2010.
2010: Giroud Helps Arsenal End Winless Streak
In 2010, Olivier Giroud scored for Arsenal in a victory against Manchester City, marking the Gunners' first win at the City of Manchester Stadium since that year.
2010: Ligue 2 Player of the Year
Olivier Giroud was named Ligue 2 Player of the Year in 2010.
May 2011: Contract Extension with Montpellier
Giroud signed a contract extension with Montpellier, keeping him at the club until 2014.
November 2011: Montpellier Tops Ligue 1
Montpellier, largely thanks to Giroud's performance, topped the Ligue 1 table in November 2011.
November 2011: International Debut for France
Olivier Giroud realized a lifelong ambition in November 2011 when he debuted for the French national team, coming on as a substitute in matches against the United States and Belgium.
2011: Senior International Debut
At 25 years old, Olivier Giroud made his senior international debut for France in 2011.
2011: Strong Start to the Season and Nickname
Giroud started the 2011-2012 season in excellent form, scoring consistently for Montpellier. His performance earned him the nickname "le buteur de charme" (the charm striker) from French media.
2011: Reflecting on Departure from Grenoble
In 2011, Olivier Giroud expressed disappointment over his departure from Grenoble, believing he did not get a fair chance.
January 2012: Transfer Rumors and High Valuation
Giroud's impressive form led to transfer rumors, with Montpellier's owner placing a high valuation on him.
March 2012: Crucial Victory and Ligue 1 Title
Giroud scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win against Saint-Étienne, propelling Montpellier to the top of the table, a position they maintained to win their first-ever Ligue 1 title.
June 2012: Giroud Signs with Arsenal
In June 2012, Olivier Giroud signed a long-term contract with Arsenal for a fee of around £9.6 million. He was given the number 12 shirt.
October 2012: Crucial Goal Against Spain
Giroud's late equalizer against Spain in a 2014 World Cup qualifier in October 2012 highlighted his knack for scoring vital goals on the international stage.
December 2012: Giroud's Breakthrough at Arsenal
In December 2012, Olivier Giroud scored a brace for Arsenal after coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute, helping his team secure a 7-3 victory against Newcastle United.
2012: Montpellier's First Ligue 1 Title
Olivier Giroud helped Montpellier win their first Ligue 1 title in 2012.
April 2013: Giroud's Contribution to Arsenal's Victory
In April 2013, Olivier Giroud played a crucial role in Arsenal's 3-1 win against Norwich City. He won a penalty that led to the equalizing goal and then scored himself, putting Arsenal ahead. His assist for Lukas Podolski's goal secured the win for Arsenal.
October 2013: Man of the Match Performance
In October 2013, Olivier Giroud delivered a standout performance, scoring twice and earning the man of the match award in a resounding victory against Australia.
2013: Giroud's Goals for Arsenal
Throughout 2013, Olivier Giroud scored several key goals for Arsenal, including the only goal in a victory against Tottenham Hotspur and a double against Southampton.
February 2014: Infidelity Allegations and Apology
In February 2014, Olivier Giroud faced allegations of cheating on his wife with model Celia Kay. While he issued a public apology to his wife, he denied committing adultery. His manager at the time, Arsène Wenger, chose not to comment on the matter, citing respect for Giroud's privacy.
March 2014: Giroud's Performance in FA Cup
In March 2014, Olivier Giroud scored twice for Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final against Everton, contributing to a 4-1 victory.
September 2014: Giroud Extends Contract with Arsenal
On his 28th birthday in September 2014, Olivier Giroud signed a contract extension with Arsenal, keeping him at the club until 2018. This new contract also increased his weekly wage to £80,000.
2014: Contract Extension with Montpellier
Giroud signed a contract extension with Montpellier, keeping him at the club until 2014.
2014: Hugo Boss Partnership
In 2014, Olivier Giroud became the face of Hugo Boss's Boss Bottled men's fragrance.
2014: Giroud Wins Community Shield and Suffers Injury
In 2014, Olivier Giroud won his second title with Arsenal, the FA Community Shield, scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory over Manchester City. However, he suffered a broken tibia in August and was sidelined for four months.
2014: Giroud's Goal and Injury
In early 2014, Olivier Giroud scored a crucial goal for Arsenal against Newcastle United, securing a 1-0 win. However, he suffered an ankle injury later in the year.
February 2015: 'Hottest Premier League Player'
In February 2015, Olivier Giroud was voted the 'Hottest Premier League Player'.
October 2015: Giroud Scores Against Bayern Munich
In October 2015, Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score the opening goal for Arsenal in a 2-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage.
2015: Giroud Wins FA Cup with Arsenal
In 2015, Olivier Giroud came on as a substitute and scored in Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
2015: Giroud Scores Hat-trick to End Season
In the final match of the 2015-2016 season, Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick for Arsenal against Aston Villa, ending the season with 16 Premier League goals and 24 in all competitions.
May 2016: Giroud Ends Goal Drought with Assist and Goal
In May 2016, Olivier Giroud ended a 15-game goalless streak in the Premier League by scoring and assisting in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
June 2016: Euro 2016 Achievements
Euro 2016 was a memorable tournament for Giroud. He earned his 50th cap, scored a crucial goal in the opening match, and finished as the joint second-highest scorer, earning the Bronze Boot.
August 2016: Puma Advert and FIFA 16 Feature
In August 2016, Olivier Giroud, alongside fellow French footballer Antoine Griezmann, starred in an advertisement for Puma. Notably, Giroud's signature 'Glamour slide' goal celebration was incorporated into the EA Sports FIFA 16 video game.
October 2016: Substitute Appearances and Notable Goals
In October 2016, Olivier Giroud primarily featured as a substitute for Arsenal, making appearances in three out of the first nine matches of the 2016-17 Premier League season. Notably, he scored two goals as a substitute against Sunderland.
January 2017: Contract Extension and FA Cup Triumph
Giroud, along with teammates Francis Coquelin and Laurent Koscielny, signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in January 2017. He played a crucial role in Arsenal's FA Cup victory that year, providing an assist for the winning goal against Chelsea in the final.
January 2017: "Scorpion Kick" Goal and FIFA Puskás Award
In January 2017, Giroud scored a remarkable backheeled volley goal, dubbed the "scorpion kick," in a match against Crystal Palace. The goal was later honored with the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year.
March 2017: Climbing the Ranks
Giroud's two goals in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg in March 2017 moved him into the top ten all-time goalscorers for France, solidifying his place in the team's history.
June 2017: Hat-trick Hero
June 2017 witnessed Giroud's scoring prowess as he netted a hat-trick against Paraguay, becoming the first player to achieve this feat for France in 17 years.
September 2017: 100th Goal for Arsenal
In September 2017, Giroud achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 100th goal for Arsenal during a Europa League match against BATE Borisov.
January 2018: Transfer to Chelsea
In January 2018, Giroud made a significant career move by signing an 18-month contract with Chelsea.
May 2018: Equalling Zidane's Record
In May 2018, Giroud equaled Zinedine Zidane's record by scoring his 31st international goal, further cementing his status as one of France's greatest strikers.
June 2018: World Cup Triumph
Giroud played a crucial role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph, providing a physical presence and link-up play that allowed teammates Griezmann and Mbappé to excel. His contributions were instrumental in securing France's second World Cup title.
November 2018: Voice Acting Debut
In November 2018, Olivier Giroud made his voice acting debut in the French-dubbed version of the animated film 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse', known as 'Spiderman: New Generation' in France. He provided the voice for the Green Goblin, while fellow footballer Presnel Kimpembe voiced the character Scorpion.
2018: Transfer to Chelsea
Olivier Giroud transferred to Chelsea for a fee of £18 million (€20.7 million) in 2018.
2018: FIFA World Cup Victory
2018: Giroud's Contract Extension
Olivier Giroud's contract extension in 2014 meant he was set to stay at Arsenal until 2018.
May 2019: Europa League Final and Goal-Scoring Record
In May 2019, Olivier Giroud played a key role in Chelsea's victory over Arsenal in the Europa League final, scoring a goal in the match. This win contributed to his record-breaking season, during which he surpassed Nestor Combin and Just Fontaine to become the French player with the most goals in a single European season.
August 2019: First Goal of the Season
Olivier Giroud kicked off his scoring campaign in August 2019 with a goal against Liverpool during the UEFA Super Cup. Despite his effort, Liverpool emerged victorious in a penalty shootout.
2019: UEFA Europa League Top Goalscorer
In 2019, Olivier Giroud finished as the top goalscorer in the UEFA Europa League.
February 2020: First Premier League Goal of the Season
In February 2020, Giroud scored his first Premier League goal of the season, contributing to Chelsea's home win against Tottenham.
May 2020: Contract Extension with Chelsea
In May 2020, Giroud secured a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, extending his stay at the club.
July 2020: FA Cup Final and Champions League Qualification
In July 2020, Olivier Giroud played a crucial role in securing Chelsea's place in the FA Cup final and their qualification for the Champions League. He scored a decisive goal against Manchester United in the semi-final, helping his team reach the final. Additionally, he scored in Chelsea's last league match, securing their top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
September 2020: First Goal of the Season and Champions League Progression
Giroud marked the start of the 2020-21 season by scoring his first goal, which came in a resounding 6-0 victory over Barnsley in the EFL Cup. His impactful performances continued in the Champions League, where he scored a crucial stoppage-time goal against Rennes, securing Chelsea's advancement to the knockout stages.
October 2020: 100th Cap and Surpassing Platini
October 2020 marked a momentous occasion for Giroud, as he earned his 100th cap for France and surpassed Michel Platini's goal-scoring record, becoming the nation's second-highest scorer.
2020: UEFA Euro 2020 Appearance
February 2021: Premier League Milestone and Champions League Performance
In February 2021, Giroud achieved a significant milestone by becoming the 17th player in Premier League history to make 100 substitute appearances. His impact was immediate, as he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory against Newcastle. He continued to shine in the Champions League, scoring a spectacular bicycle kick goal that secured a 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16.
June 2021: Contract Extension at Chelsea
Despite being linked with moves to other clubs, Giroud's contract with Chelsea was automatically extended for another year due to a clause triggered in April. This decision ensured his stay at Stamford Bridge for the upcoming season.
June 2021: Closing in on Henry's Record
Giroud's scoring exploits continued in June 2021 when he scored twice in a warm-up match for Euro 2020, moving within five goals of Thierry Henry's all-time French scoring record.
July 2021: Transfer to AC Milan and Debut
In July 2021, Olivier Giroud embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining AC Milan on a permanent transfer. He signed a two-year contract with the Italian club. He made his debut for Milan in August, featuring in a 1-0 victory against Sampdoria. Shortly after, he showcased his scoring prowess with a brace in a 4-1 win over Cagliari.
January 2022: Key Goals and Historic Brace Against Inter
In January 2022, Giroud continued his impressive form for AC Milan. He scored a crucial opening goal against Roma and played a pivotal role in Junior Messias's goal, securing a 3-1 win. His standout performance came against Inter Milan, where he became the first French player to score a brace in Serie A against them, leading his team to a 2-1 victory in the Derby della Madonnina.
2022: World Cup Quarter-final Victory
In 2022, Olivier Giroud and the French national team secured a victory in the quarter-final match of the FIFA World Cup.
2022: Successful Season with AC Milan
In 2022, Olivier Giroud played a key role for AC Milan, contributing to their victory over Napoli and their progression to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in several years.
2022: FIFA World Cup Journey
In 2022, Olivier Giroud was called up to the French squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He started as the team's lone striker and made history by equaling and then surpassing Thierry Henry's 51-goal record for France. He achieved this feat by scoring two goals in the opening match against Australia and another goal against Poland in the round of 16. In the quarter-final match against England, Giroud scored the winning goal, securing France's place in the semi-finals. However, France's journey ended in the final after losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw.
June 2023: Charity Auction
In June 2023, Olivier Giroud auctioned off the jersey he wore during France's victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final. The auction aimed to raise funds for Armenian victims affected by the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh. The jersey was sold for €35,000 at a fundraiser dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide.
March 2024: First Europa League Goal and Departure Announcement
March 2024 marked a significant period for Giroud, as he scored his first Europa League goal for AC Milan but also revealed his decision to leave the club after the season.
May 2024: Joining Los Angeles FC
In May 2024, Olivier Giroud's move to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC was confirmed, marking a new chapter in his career alongside fellow Frenchman Hugo Lloris.
July 2024: Joining Los Angeles FC
Olivier Giroud is slated to join Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in July 2024.
