Jirou will remain with “Lille” – his contract is extended until 2027.
Olivier Jirou will officially continue to play for the French club. The 38-year-old forward has signed a new one-year contract with “Lille”, which is valid until June 2027. This return of a veteran player to Ligue 1 is a natural step after his many years of playing in top leagues in England and Italy, where he accumulated extensive playing experience. He has scored over three hundred goals for the club, and he also holds the record for being the most outstanding scorer in the history of the French national team. This shows that his level of performance remains high even at a mature age. The decision to keep Jirou in the club is based on his stable form, tactical intelligence, and leadership skills within the team. Jirou continues to be effective in finishing attacks and brings invaluable experience to the team in both Ligue 1 and European competitions.

The coaching staff, led by David Ancelotti, has already included Jirou in their plans for the 2026/27 season. The club sees Jirou as a key player who can help develop young players by passing on his professional skills. With a schedule that includes over fifty official matches per season, having a versatile central forward allows the coach to vary the team’s formation effectively. Extending Jirou’s contract highlights “Lille’s” strategy of relying on experienced players, while maintaining a balance between experience and development, thereby ensuring high sporting results in the coming seasons. This decision ensures stability in the team’s attacks, reduces the risk of injuries to young players, and creates a favorable environment for the development of young players. In the long term, this will strengthen the club’s position in the competition for European titles.