Overview
Odsonne Edouard is a French professional footballer, born on January 16, 1998, in Kourou, French Guiana. Primarily deployed as a centre-forward, Edouard has established himself as a prominent attacker in European football, known for his goal-scoring instincts and physical attributes. Standing at 1.83 meters, his presence in the penalty area, combined with his technical ability, has made him a consistent threat.
Position
Edouard operates as a forward, typically leading the line as a number nine. He is adept at playing as a lone striker, holding up the ball to bring teammates into play, or as part of a front two. His versatility also allows him to drift wide when necessary, although his primary strength lies in central attacking positions where he can utilize his finishing skills. His role often involves being the focal point of attacks, tasked with converting chances and applying pressure on opposition defenders.
Identity
Often described as a 'poacher with power,' Edouard's identity on the pitch is defined by his ability to find the back of the net, often with minimal touches. He combines physical strength with a refined touch and composure in front of goal. His movement off the ball allows him to exploit defensive gaps, while his acceleration over short distances makes him difficult to mark. He possesses a calm demeanor when presented with goal-scoring opportunities, a trait crucial for high-pressure situations.
Career path
Odsonne Edouard's football journey began in his native French Guiana before moving to France to join the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain academy, a well-regarded institution for youth development. He progressed through the ranks at PSG, showcasing his prolific goal-scoring ability at various youth levels.
Paris Saint-Germain
Edouard joined the Paris Saint-Germain youth system in 2011 and quickly made a name for himself. He was part of the PSG U17 team that won the Championnat National U17 in 2015. His performances earned him a professional contract with the club in 2016. Despite his potential, first-team opportunities at PSG were limited due to the club's array of attacking talent. He made his senior debut for the club in April 2016, featuring in a Coupe de France match.
Loan spells and Celtic move
To gain senior experience, Edouard was loaned to Toulouse FC for the 2016-17 season, where he made 17 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring one goal. Following his return to PSG, he was loaned to Scottish Premiership side Celtic FC for the 2017-18 season. This move proved to be a turning point in his career. At Celtic, Edouard quickly adapted to Scottish football, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions and helping the club secure a domestic treble. His impressive performances led to Celtic making the move permanent in June 2018 for a reported fee of €10.3 million, making him the club's record signing at the time, according to Transfermarkt.
Celtic FC
During his permanent tenure at Celtic, Edouard became a key player and a prolific goalscorer. Over three full seasons, he consistently led the line, contributing significantly to the club's domestic dominance. He won three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups. His time at Celtic saw him develop into a well-rounded forward, capable of both scoring and creating. By the end of his Celtic career, he had scored 86 goals in 179 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt data.
Crystal Palace
In August 2021, Edouard moved to the Premier League, joining Crystal Palace on a permanent transfer. The move marked his return to one of Europe's top five leagues. He made an immediate impact, scoring two goals on his debut against Tottenham Hotspur. He has since been a regular feature for Crystal Palace, adapting to the demands of English football and continuing to contribute goals and assists for the club.
Playing style
Odsonne Edouard's playing style is characterized by a blend of physical prowess, technical skill, and a natural instinct for goal-scoring. As a forward, he excels in several key areas that make him a challenging opponent for defenders.
Finishing
Edouard possesses strong finishing ability with both feet and his head. He demonstrates composure in one-on-one situations and often places shots accurately rather than relying solely on power. His shot selection is generally intelligent, allowing him to convert a variety of chances from inside the penalty area. Data from platforms like FBref often highlight his consistent expected goals (xG) overperformance, indicating clinical finishing.
Movement and positioning
His off-the-ball movement is a significant aspect of his game. Edouard is adept at finding pockets of space between defenders, making darting runs into the box, and positioning himself effectively for cut-backs or crosses. He has a good understanding of timing his runs to beat the offside trap, which allows him to get into dangerous goal-scoring positions regularly. His ability to drop deep and link play also adds another dimension to his attacking contributions, similar to how a player like Alexandre Lacazette links up play.
Physicality and hold-up play
Standing at 1.83m, Edouard uses his frame effectively to hold off defenders and retain possession. This makes him valuable for hold-up play, allowing his teammates to join attacks and creating opportunities for combination play in the final third. He can shield the ball well under pressure and is capable of turning defenders with strength and agility. While not an elite aerial threat, he is competent in winning headers in attacking areas.
Work rate
While primarily an attacking threat, Edouard also contributes to the team's defensive efforts. He participates in pressing from the front, aiming to disrupt opposition build-up play and force turnovers high up the pitch. His defensive work rate, particularly in closing down defenders and goalkeepers, adds value to the team's overall tactical setup.
Achievements & honours
Odsonne Edouard has accumulated several team trophies and individual accolades throughout his career, predominantly during his successful spell at Celtic FC.
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 2015–16 |
| Coupe de la Ligue | Paris Saint-Germain | 2015–16 |
| Scottish Premiership | Celtic FC | 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
| Scottish Cup | Celtic FC | 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
| Scottish League Cup | Celtic FC | 2018–19, 2019–20 |
Individual Honours
- UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2017 (with Toulouse)
- PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year: 2019–20
- Scottish Premiership Top Scorer: 2019–20 (22 goals)
- Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season: 2019–20
His individual awards highlight his consistent performance and impact, particularly during his time in Scotland where he was recognized by his peers and for his goal-scoring prowess.
International career
Odsonne Edouard has represented France at various youth international levels, demonstrating his talent early in his career. His journey through the French youth system culminated in a call-up to the senior national team.
Youth International Levels
Edouard was a prominent figure for France's youth national teams. He gained significant recognition during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2015, where he was instrumental in France winning the tournament. He finished as the top scorer with 8 goals, including a hat-trick in the final against Germany, as detailed by UEFA.com. He continued to represent France at U18, U19, and U21 levels, consistently contributing goals and showcasing his abilities on the international stage.
Senior International Debut
His impressive club form earned him his first call-up to the senior France national team in September 2020 by Didier Deschamps. He made his senior international debut on September 5, 2020, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Nations League match against Sweden. In this match, he scored his first senior international goal, further cementing his reputation as a natural finisher. While opportunities in the fiercely competitive French squad have been limited since, his debut goal marked a significant milestone in his career, validating his progression through the youth ranks.
What makes Odsonne Edouard stand out
Odsonne Edouard stands out primarily due to his potent combination of clinical finishing and composed decision-making in front of goal. He possesses a calm demeanor that allows him to execute under pressure, often choosing the right option whether to shoot, pass, or dribble. His ability to score with either foot and his head makes him unpredictable for defenders.
Another distinctive trait is his intelligent movement off-the-ball. Edouard doesn't just rely on pace; he uses subtle shifts and well-timed runs to create space for himself and his teammates. This positional awareness, coupled with his strength to hold up play, enables him to be both a goalscorer and a facilitator in the attacking third. He also has a penchant for scoring crucial goals, a characteristic that defines many top forwards.
"He's a very good finisher, very calm, very composed. He can score all sorts of goals." – Neil Lennon, former Celtic manager.