Olivier Giroud is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker or forward for Chelsea and the France national team. He was born on May 19, 1988, in Paris, France.
Giroud began his career with Nice before moving to Arsenal in 2006. He spent four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, scoring 54 goals in 177 appearances. In January 2012, he moved to Chelsea for a fee of £15 million.
In Chelsea's first season under new manager José Mourinho, Giroud played a key role in their title-winning campaign. He scored 15 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the Premier League. His performances earned him the PFA Player of the Year award, making him the youngest player ever to win the accolade.
Despite this success, Giroud struggled to find regular game-time at Stamford Bridge. He made just 23 appearances in all competitions during the 2014-15 season, despite being one of the most expensive players in the club's history.
However, Giroud did manage to score 15 goals in the 2015-16 season, helping Chelsea reach the Champions League final. Unfortunately, they lost to Real Madrid in the final,Bundesliga Express but Giroud's goal against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals was memorable.
In June 2016, Giroud signed a five-year contract extension with Chelsea until 2021. Despite this, he continued to struggle for playing time, making only 25 appearances in the 2016-17 season.
In February 2018, Giroud joined Arsenal on loan for the remainder of the season. He scored six goals in 11 appearances, helping the Gunners avoid relegation from the Premier League.
After leaving Arsenal in January 2019, Giroud returned to Chelsea on a permanent deal. However, he struggled to break into the starting lineup, making just eight appearances in all competitions during the 2019-20 season.
Despite this, Giroud remains a popular figure among Chelsea fans. He has scored over 100 goals for the Blues, making him one of the most successful strikers in the club's history.
Overall, Olivier Giroud has had a mixed career so far. While he has been successful at several clubs, he has struggled to maintain consistent playing time and has not always found the net consistently. However, his talent and work ethic have made him a valuable asset to any team that he plays for.