André-Pierre Christian Gignac (French pronunciation: ; born 5 December 1985) is a French professional footballer who plays for Liga MX club Tigres UANL. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence". He is known personally by teammates and friends as simply Dédé.
Gignac began his career in his home region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur playing for local club Fos and Martigues. In 2002, he ventured to the Brittany region to join professional club Lorient. He starred for the club for two seasons, which included a loan stint at amateur club Pau. In 2007, he joined Toulouse, amid controversial circumstances. After early struggles, Gignac reached prominence during the 2008–09 season becoming the league's top scorer with 24 goals. After a sub-par 2009–10 season with Toulouse, in August 2010, Gignac joined the defending champions Marseille on a five-year contract. He scored 77 goals in 186 matches across all competitions for OM, winning two consecutive Coupe de la Ligue titles and the 2011 Trophée des Champions. After the expiration of his contract, he moved to Mexico to play for Tigres UANL.
Gignac is a France international and made his debut with the team in April 2009 against Lithuania as a result of his good form with Toulouse. He scored his first international goal five months later against the Faroe Islands. Gignac made his first major international appearance for his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three matches the team contested. He also represented his country at UEFA Euro 2016, in which they were runners-up.
Personal life Gignac was born in the city of Martigues in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in the south of France. In an interview with French football magazine So Foot, Gignac revealed he is of partial Romani descent, but considers himself to be an adopted Manouche, saying, "I grew up with them, my wife is Manouche, so my son is automatically Manouche. My family lived in caravans and worked in the markets. When I am given clothes, I pass them on to my mother-in-law so she can sell them. Sometimes I go with her and stand behind the stall." He is the cousin of former defender Jacques Abardonado and Fulham winger Yohan Mollo.
Early career Gignac began his career with local club ES Fos-sur-Mer. He spent five years at the club before joining hometown club FC Martigues. After almost seven years at the club, Gignac was released after being informed he needed to bulk up. He, subsequently, moved over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to the Brittany region to join the youth academy of professional club FC Lorient. After developing in the club's academy for two seasons, Gignac was promoted to the club's senior team for the 2004–05 Ligue 2 season by manager Christian Gourcuff.
