A high-class playmaker with sumptuous technique and a powerful right-foot shot, Yoann Gourcuff was the architect of FC Girondins de Bordeaux’s 2008/09 Ligue 1 title triumph. Although no longer an international regular, he scored on all three of his UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying appearances.

• A native of Brittany and the son of former player Christian Gourcuff, he began his career in the youth ranks at FC Lorient, where his father was the coach, before signing professional forms with another club in the region, Stade Rennais FC.

• Starred for France at the 2005 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Northern Ireland, scoring three goals and featuring in UEFA's Team of the Tournament.

• Shone in 2005/06 (36 appearances, six goals), helping Rennes to seventh place in Ligue 1 and earning himself a lucrative transfer to AC Milan; helped the Rossoneri win the UEFA Champions League in 2007 but was not in the squad for the Athens final against Liverpool FC.

• Spent 2008/09 on loan at Bordeaux, where he raised his career to new heights, becoming a fixture in the France side and inspiring Les Marine et Blanc to their first league title in a decade; also scored in the League Cup final win against Vannes OC.

• Signed a four-year contract with Bordeaux in May 2009 and ended the season as France's footballer of the year; maintained his top form the following season, driving the club towards the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, where his side were knocked out by Lyon.

• After appearing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, where he was sent off in France's 2-1 defeat by South Africa, he made a €22m switch to Lyon.

UEFA honours
UEFA European Under-19 Championship: winner 2005