André-Pierre Gignac

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gignac began his career in his home department of Bouches-du-Rhône, playing for local clubs Fos-sur-Mer and Martigues. In 2002, he ventured to the Brittany region to join professional club Lorient. He starred for the club for two seasons, which included a loan stint at amateur club Pau. Gignac joined Toulouse in 2007, amid controversial circumstances. After early struggles, he reached prominence during the 2008–09 season, becoming the league's top scorer with 24 goals. After a sub-par 2009–10 season with Toulouse, Gignac joined the defending champions Marseille in August 2010 on a five-year contract. He scored 77 goals in 186 matches across all competitions for OM, winning two consecutive Coupe de la Ligue titles and the 2011 Trophée des Champions. After his contract expired, he moved to Mexico to play for Tigres UANL, where he became the club's all-time top scorer in all competitions. Gignac was a France international from 2009 to 2016. He made his debut with the team in April 2009 against Lithuania as a result of his good form with Toulouse. He scored his first international goal five months later against the Faroe Islands. Gignac made his first major international appearance for his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three matches the team contested. He also represented his country at UEFA Euro 2016, playing in several matches including the final, which France lost to Portugal after extra time.

In Their Own Story

The 2008–09 Ligue 1 season ended with André-Pierre Gignac claiming the Trophée du Meilleur Buteur, awarded to the league's top goalscorer. The source does not provide any narrative about a specific moment, match, or goal. It only records that he won the top scorer award, without detailing his club, the number of goals scored, or any particular game.

Reader's Guide

Gignac was born in the city of Martigues in Bouches-du-Rhône in southern France. He is of partial Romani descent, but has stated he considers himself to be an adopted Manouche. He is the cousin of former defender Jacques Abardonado and winger Yohan Mollo. He spent the first five years of his career at ES Fos-sur-Mer before joining hometown club Martigues. After almost seven years at Martigues, he was released after being informed he needed to bulk up. Subsequently, Gignac moved to the Brittany region to join the youth academy of professional club Lorient. After developing in the club's academy for two seasons, Gignac was promoted to the club's senior team for the 2004–05 Ligue 2 season by manager Christian Gourcuff. He made his professional debut with Lorient on 13 August 2004, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute against Châteauroux and scoring the winning goal. He was loaned to Pau during the winter transfer period of the following season, where he appeared in 20 league matches and scored eight goals. Returning to Lorient for the 2006–07 Ligue 1 season, he scored a hat-trick against Nantes and finished the campaign with 37 league appearances and nine goals. On 25 June 2007, he signed a four-year deal with Toulouse. In the 2008–09 season, he became first-choice striker after Johan Elmander's departure, scoring 24 league goals and receiving the league's top scorer award. He joined Marseille in August 2010 on a five-year contract. After his contract expired, he moved to Mexico to play for Tigres UANL.

Did You Know?

• Gignac scored his first professional goal seconds after coming on as a substitute in his debut for Lorient.
• He scored a hat-trick in 27 minutes against Nantes in 2006.
• Gignac was the Ligue 1 top scorer in the 2008–09 season with 24 goals.
• He scored 77 goals in 186 matches for Marseille across all competitions.
• Gignac became Tigres UANL's all-time top scorer in all competitions.