Olivier Giroud’s old club thinking of naming stadium after France World Cup hero
Olivier Giroud's former club Tours are reportedly in discussions over renaming their stadium to commemorate the French World Cup star.
Giroud, 36, surpassed Thierry Henry as Les Blues' all-time leading goalscorer with a delicious left-footed strike in their 3-1 Round of 16 victory over Poland taking his tally to 52 for the national side.
Also finding the net in France's quarter-final clash with England, the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker sent the Three Lions packing via a sizzling header past Jordan Pickford and now sits just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot.
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According to French periodical L'Equipe, sixth-tier outfit Tours, who Giroud represented as a Ligue 2 side between 2008 and 2010, are exploring the possibility of changing the name of Stade de la Vallee du Cher to commemorate Giroud's latest honour.
The proposition to rename the 16,000-capacity venue to Stade Olivier Giroud is reportedly being led by ex-Tours mayor, and Marseille President, Christophe Bouchet to celebrate the achievements of the club's greatest-ever forward.
Signed from fellow Ligue 2 side Grenoble in 2008, Giroud rattled in a staggering 36 goals in 67 matches for the Indre-et-Loire-based club and was named the National Union of Professional Footballers Ligue 2 Player of the Year in 2008 after ending the season as the division's top scorer.
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Giroud joined first-tier outfit Montpellier in the summer of 2010, slamming in 12 goals during his debut season. Bettering his tally with 21 the following campaign, the forward made his international debut in November as Montpellier bagged their first, and only, Ligue 1 crown.
A £12million signing from Arsenal in 2012, Giroud became an instant fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium helping the Gunners win three FA Cups and three Community Shields during his five-and-a-half-year stay in north London.
Moving to the west part of the capital in January 2017, the Frenchman claimed another FA Cup whilst on the books at Chelsea whilst also extending his trophy cabinet with both Champions League and Europa League winner's medals.
Giroud joined current club AC Milan prior to the 2021/22 season, hitting 14 goals in all competitions as the Rossoneri secured their first scudetto in 10 years.
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