Guillaume Hoarau

Summary

Guillaume Hoarau (born 5 March 1984) is a French former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Guillaume Hoarau
Hoarau with Young Boys in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-03-05) 5 March 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Saint-Louis, Réunion
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
FC Muri-Gümligen
Youth career
1994–2004 Saint-Pierroise
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 Le Havre 81 (33)
2006–2007Gueugnon (loan) 21 (8)
2008–2013 Paris Saint-Germain 114 (39)
2013 Dalian Aerbin 20 (3)
2014 Bordeaux 16 (3)
2014–2020 Young Boys 141 (94)
2020–2022 Sion 30 (9)
2022–2023 Saint-Pierroise
2023– FC Muri 6 (4)
Total 423 (188)
International career
2010–2011 France 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Early career edit

Hoarau started his football career at JS Saint-Pierroise in his native Réunion. In 1995, Le Havre AC scouts considered him too "thin" and signed his then-teammate Florent Sinama Pongolle. After gaining the attention of then-Le Havre manager Jean-François Domergue, Hoarau signed his first professional contract at the age of 20 for Le Havre in January 2004.[1] He made his league debut on 12 May 2004 against Châteauroux in a 2–1 loss, coming on as a substitute.[2]

Despite being signed, Hoarau spent the majority of his career under Domergue playing in the reserves, often earning brief call-ups to the senior squad, then quickly being sent down.[3] He registered his first career goal in just the second match of the 2004–05 season in a 2–1 victory over Amiens.[4] Despite this, his play was heavily limited following the firing of Domergue and the appointment of temporary manager Philippe Hinschberger. During the following season under new manager Thierry Uvenard, his playing time increased—he appeared in 28 matches, scoring five goals. The next season, he only made five appearances for Le Havre before being sent on loan to Gueugnon, where he made 21 appearances and scored eight goals.

Ligue 2 star edit

Under new manager Jean-Marc Nobilo, his fourth manager in four years, Hoarau was installed as the lead striker and flourished. Playing in all 38 league matches, he was top scorer with 28 goals and, at one point during the season, scored at least one goal in 12-straight matches.[5] His performances led to the French media naming him the "Karim Benzema of Ligue 2", as Benzema was having a similar season in Ligue 1.[3] His performances caught the eye of several Ligue 1 clubs, such as Auxerre, Marseille, and Paris Saint-Germain to name a few, as well as English clubs Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea,[6] who likened the player to Peter Crouch. Eventually, it was announced in January 2008 that Hoarau had signed with Parisian club Paris Saint-Germain on a four-year deal after reportedly snubbing the club's primary rival, Marseille.[7] PSG paid Le Havre fee of €500,000 and also allowed the player to finish the Ligue 2 season with his former club, whom he helped achieve promotion to Ligue 1.

Paris Saint-Germain edit

 
Hoarau during a training session with Paris Saint-Germain in 2011

Hoarau arrived in Paris following the Ligue 2 season with high expectations, as he was expected to replace club legend Pauleta and live up to comments made by former president Alain Cayzac, who referred to Hoarau as being the "signing of the century" for PSG.[8]

He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 defeat at Monaco on 9 August 2008. After going scoreless the first week, Hoarau responded in the second week scoring his first goal for the club on his home debut in a 1–0 victory over Bordeaux.[9] His breakthrough into the team came in the annual Classique against rivals Marseille on 26 October 2008. In a huge 4–2 victory for the club, Hoarau scored a brace.[10] He followed this up by scoring another brace, this time against his former club Le Havre in a 3–1 victory.[11] His next set of goals were against Le Mans, earning another brace in another 3–1 victory.[12] Hoarau also continued his solid form on the European stage scoring a brace in the club's first leg match against VfL Wolfsburg on 18 February 2009 in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.[13] In total for the season, Hoarau made 45 appearances, 32 in league play, and scored 20 goals, 17 in league play, contributing to the club's successful season where they reached as high as the second position in the league and made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

Due to his great performances, Hoarau was linked to several clubs, most notably Lyon, who offered €10 million for the player's services.[14] Both Hoarau and PSG, however, downplayed the offer and, two days later, Hoarau signed a contract extension until 2013.[15]

Following his successful first season in Paris, Hoarau struggled to reproduce the same kind of form. The arrival of new striker Mevlüt Erdinç failed to ignite a successful partnership, with both players often injured and profligate in front of goal whenever they managed to play. Hoarau did however score the winning goal for PSG in extra time in the 2010 Coupe de France Final.[16] Since the signing of new striker Kevin Gameiro in the summer of 2011, both Hoarau and Erdinç were relegated to the substitutes' bench, and the former suffered a serious injury on the very first day of the 2011–12 season. Hoarau was linked with a loan move to Saint-Étienne.[17] On the last day of the 2011–12 season, with Montpellier and PSG both chasing the Ligue 1 title, Hoarau suffered an injury in a match against Lorient, with Montpeillier going on to win their first league title.[18]

In the 2012–13 season, Hoarau featured less for the club and was placed on the transfer list despite being out of contract at the end of the season.[19]

Upon his departure to Dalin Aerbin, Hoarau appeared at Parc des Princes, where he made a farewell speech and was left emotional, saying, "Nothing has changed. I'm a little excited. I have a small tear in the eye."[20]

Dalian Aerbin edit

On 9 January 2013, Hoarau signed with Chinese Super League side Dalian Aerbin.[21] On the same day, he was presented by the club.[22] His move to China received objection by commentator Jean-Michel Larqué.[23]

Hoarau made his debut in the opening game of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minutes for Zhou Tong, in a 1–0 loss against Shandong Luneng. Hoarau scored his first goal three weeks later, on 30 March 2013, in a 3–3 draw against newly promoted Shanghai East Asia.[24] Two weeks later, on 14 April 2013, Hoarau scored again in a 2–1 loss against reigning league champion Guangzhou Evergrande. Hoarau later struggled to score despite having earned himself as first team regular. His lack of scoring lead the club recruit Nabil Baha as their new striker, with the club considering selling Hoarau during the summer transfer window.[25] Eventually, Hoarau would stay at the club for the season and would help the club finish in fifth in the league table.

Upon the conclusion of the 2013 season, Chinese media Sina Sports reported that Hoarau was among several foreign players to leave Dalian Aerbin.[26][27] Four days later, the club confirmed the departure of Hoarau, who would return to France.[28]

Bordeaux edit

After one season in China, Hoarau returned to France by joining Ligue 1 side Bordeaux until the end of the 2013–14 season.[29] Prior to the move, Hoarau was also linked with Marseille.[30] The move to Marseille did not transpire, as Hoarau preferred moving elsewhere.[31]

Young Boys edit

In the summer of 2014, Hoarau left Bordeaux and joined Swiss side BSC Young Boys.[32]

He was part of the Young Boys squad that won the 2017–18 Swiss Super League, their first league title in 32 years.[33]

In the play-off round of the Champions League campaign the following season, Hoarau scored goals in both legs against Dinamo Zagreb, which took Young Boys to the group stages for the first time ever.[32] He scored twice more in the final group game on 12 December, a surprise 2–1 defeat of Italian giants Juventus. Despite the victory, Young Boys still finished bottom of the group on four points.[34]

Sion edit

On 18 September 2020, Hoarau signed with fellow Swiss side Sion.[35]

Retirement edit

In August 2022, at the age of 38, Hoarau announced his retirement from professional playing.[36]

International career edit

On 23 March 2009, Hoarau was called up to the France national team to replace the injured Nicolas Anelka on the squad.

Personal life edit

In addition to football, Hoarau has a strong passion for making music and has sung live on French TV.[37]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[38]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Le Havre 2003–04 Ligue 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2004–05 9 1 0 0 1 0 10 1
2005–06 28 4 1 0 1 0 30 4
2006–07 5 0 0 0 1 1 6 1
2007–08 38 28 1 0 2 1 41 29
Total 81 33 2 0 5 2 88 35
Gueugnon (loan) 2006–07 Ligue 2 21 8 1 0 0 0 22 8
Paris Saint-Germain 2008–09 Ligue 1 33 17 3 0 2 0 9[c] 3 47 20
2009–10 22 6 5 2 1 0 28 8
2010–11 33 9 6 7 3 0 9[d] 4 0 0 51 20
2011–12 20 5 4 0 0 0 2[d] 1 26 6
2012–13 6 1 0 0 1 0 2[e] 1 9 2
Total 114 38 18 9 7 0 22 9 0 0 161 56
Dalian Yifang 2013 Chinese Super League 20 3 3 3 23 6
Bordeaux 2013–14 Ligue 1 16 3 0 0 1 0 17 3
Young Boys 2014–15 Swiss Super League 28 17 1 0 8[d] 6 37 23
2015–16 22 18 0 0 3[f] 0 25 18
2016–17 21 18 2 2 7[g] 5 30 25
2017–18 25 15 3 1 5[h] 2 33 18
2018–19 28 24 2 0 7[e] 5 37 29
2019–20 17 2 2 1 5[d] 1 24 4
Total 141 94 10 4 35 19 186 117
Sion 2020–21 Swiss Super League 22 6 1 1 2[i] 2 25 9
2021–22 8 3 1 0 9 3
Total 30 9 2 1 2 2 34 12
Career total 423 188 36 17 13 2 57 28 2 2 531 237
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Chinese FA Cup, Swiss Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Appearances in Swiss Super League relegation play-offs

Honours edit

Le Havre

Paris Saint-Germain

Young Boys

Individual edit

  • Coupe de France Final Man of the Match: 2010

References edit

  1. ^ "Guillaume Hoarau: Itinéraire d'un grand garçon pas forcément gâ sur 20Minutes.fr". www.20minutes.fr. Archived from the original on 28 October 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  2. ^ Châteauroux v. Le Havre Match Report
  3. ^ a b "Haro sur Hoarau le phénomène". www.maxifoot.fr. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  4. ^ Amiens v. Le Havre Match Report
  5. ^ Les buts de GUILLAUME HOARAU Archived 21 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Hoarau a signé au PSG". www.topmercato.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  7. ^ Guillaume Hoarau snobe Marseille et signe au PSG
  8. ^ Hoarau prend le Paris Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ PSG v. Bordeaux Match Report Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Marseille v. PSG Match Report Archived 30 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Le Havre v. PSG Match Report Archived 22 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ PSG v. Le Mans Match Report Archived 30 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ UEFA.com. "UEFA Europa League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Lyon a fait une offre pour Hoarau". Sports.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Site officiel du Paris Saint-Germain". Psg (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 in French Cup final". france24.com. May 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  17. ^ "ASSE wants to get the loan Guillaume Hoarau!" [L’ASSE veut obtenir le prêt de Guillaume Hoarau !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  18. ^ "PSG: terrible blow to Guillaume Hoarau!" [PSG : terrible coup dur pour Guillaume Hoarau!] (in French). Foot Mercato. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  19. ^ "PSG: it stirs around Guillaume Hoarau!" [PSG : ça s’agite autour de Guillaume Hoarau !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  20. ^ "PSG: emotion Guillaume Hoarau" [PSG : l’émotion de Guillaume Hoarau] (in French). Foot Mercato. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  21. ^ "France Hoarau signs for China's Dalian Aerbin from PSG". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  22. ^ "Official: Hoarau arrived in Dalian Aerbin!" [Officiel : Hoarau débarque à Dalian Aerbin !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  23. ^ "Larqué does not want Hoarau China" [Larqué ne veut pas voir Hoarau en Chine] (in French). Foot Mercato. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  24. ^ "China first goal for Guillaume Hoarau !" [Premier but en Chine pour Guillaume Hoarau !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  25. ^ "Dalian Aerbin not Hoarau wants!" [Le Dalian Aerbin ne veut plus de Hoarau !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  26. ^ "Guillaume Hoarau and Seydou Keita soon as free as the air?" [Guillaume Hoarau et Seydou Keita bientôt libres comme l’air ?] (in French). Foot Mercato. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Keita and Albin are seeking rescission Super Cannavaro" [凯塔与阿尔滨解约正寻中超下家 瓦罗高薪让他失衡] (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  28. ^ "Dalian Aerbin will not make Hoarau Gift!" [Dalian Aerbin ne fera pas de cadeau à Hoarau !] (in French). Foot Mercato. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  29. ^ Transferts - Hoarau en renfort Archived 4 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ "Transfer: the Guillaume Hoarau track gaining weight OM" [Transfert : la piste Guillaume Hoarau prend du poids à l'OM] (in French). Eurosport. 24 November 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  31. ^ "OM: Hoarau the track has cooled" [OM : la piste Hoarau s’est refroidie] (in French). Foot Mercato. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Manchester United opponents Young Boys a side reborn after years of failure". ESPN. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  33. ^ Reuters Editorial. "Soccer - Young Boys end 32-year wait for Swiss title and end Basel..." U.S. Retrieved 14 May 2018. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ "Youngs Boys 2-1 Juventus:Paulo Dybala replies late after Guillaume Hoarau's brace". Mirror. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  35. ^ "Guillaume Hoarau et Matteo Tosetti sont valaisans !". FC Sion. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Guillaume Hoarau annonce sa retraite pro à 38 ans, retournant à la Réunion". RMC Sport (in French). 29 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Young Boys' Guillaume Hoarau: I turned down Lyon move for my music". ESPN. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Guillaume Hoarau". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  39. ^ "Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - Meilleur joueur de Ligue 2" (in French). Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  40. ^ Le palmarès 2009 complet Archived 28 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
  41. ^ "SAFP Golden 11 2016". Golden11. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  42. ^ "Super League: Kevin Mbabu élu joueur de l'année". RTSSport.ch (in French). 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  43. ^ "Top Scorers". Retrieved 14 April 2019.

External links edit