The biography and life story of Andres Gignac, the Tigres striker

The biography and life story of Andres Gignac, the Tigres striker

Kevin Omuya
April 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM
In this article:
Tigres UANL logo
Tigres UANL
Mexico
26
France logo
France
France
25
Marseille logo
Marseille
France
46
André-Pierre Gignac logo
A. P. Gignac
Tigres UANL logoFFrance logo

Andres Gignac is a French professional football striker playing for Liga MX side Tigres UANL. He is an icon and legend in the Mexican league. Gignac led Tigres to the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup finals, becoming the first Mexican club to go that far in the tournament.

Andre Pierre celebrating his goals in Liga MX
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres celebrates after scoring against Pumas UNAM on February 29, 2020 (L) and against Atletico San on January 11, 2020. Photo: Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images
Source: UGC

Table of Сontents:

Gignac began his football career with Fos and Martigues teams in Bouches-du-Rhône. He travelled to Brittany in 2002 to sign with the professional club Lorient. During his two years with the club, he was a mainstay, even on loan to amateur Pau.

Profile summary

Title

Details

Full name

André-Pierre Christian Gignac

Gender

Male

Date of birth

December 5, 1985

Place of birth

Martigues, France

Age

38 years old as of 2024

Nationality

French

Ethnicity

White

Height

1.87m (6'2")

Weight

84kg (190lbs)

Marital status

Married

Wife

Deborah Gignac

Profession

Professional footballer

Current team

Tigres UANL

Position

Striker

Social media

Instagram, (X)Twitter

André Pierre Gignac's biography

Gignac was born in the southern French town of Martigues in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Despite his Romani ancestry, Gignac is an adopted Manouche. He has two cousins, Yohan Mollo, a former football winger, and Jacques Abardonado, a defender.

Andre Pierre during a match in Liga MX
Tigres' Andre Pierre Gignac during the Mexican Clausura 2017 tournament football match at the Universitario stadium, Mexico, on February 25, 2017. Photo: Julio Cesar/Getty Images
Source: Original

How old is André Pierre Gignac?

Born in Martigues, France, Andre Pierre Gignac's age is 38 years as of 2024. He was born on December 5, 1985.

Who is André Pierre Gignac's wife?

The Tigres player had two children from his first marriage to Stéphanie Le Menarch, and he is now married to Deborah, his second wife. Grace, Eden, and Mavy are his children from his marriage to Deborah Gignac.

According to ABTC, Deborah was born in France and lived in Mexico. Her father is French, and her mother is Mexican. She met André-Pierre Gignac during their teenage years and has been together since then. Deborah Gignac is a homemaker and supports her husband. She is involved in nonprofit engagements and community volunteer work.

Andre Pierre Gignac's net worth

According to projections in 2023 by ABTC, his net worth is $20 million. Much of Gignac's wealth is attributable to his prosperous career in professional football.

Endorsements and sponsorships

The athlete has secured several sponsorship deals thanks to his abilities, successes, and endorsement. He represents Nike and Puma as an ambassador.

André Pierre Gignac's career and stats

Andre Pierre playing against Pumas in Liga MX
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres kicks the ball towards Nicolás Freire of Pumas during the 8th round match at Universitario Stadium on February 29, 2020. Photo: Azael Rodriguez
Source: Getty Images

Gignac began his youth career at Martigues before travelling to Brittany in 2002 to sign with Lorient. He earned promotion to the senior side in 2004. His Transfermarkt stats reveal he amassed 207 goals and 51 assists in 374 appearances for Lorient between 2004 and 2007.

The French striker spent one season on loan at Pau (2005-2006) before returning to Lorient. Andre Pierre scored eight goals for Pau in 20 matches. The Lorient legend joined Toulouse in 2007 after penning a four-year deal.

His move to Toulouse sparked controversy after Lille protested Gignac's decision to snub them despite agreeing a deal with the striker earlier. Lille president Michel Seydoux voiced his disappointment in an interview published by Eurosport.

"We have an agreement and a written document," fumed Lille president Michel Seydoux. "I'm not telling you exactly what happened because the relevant committees have been informed."
"I'm not going to fight against players who don't want to come to Lille but this sort of situation does certainly not serve the image of French football."

The striker stayed at Toulouse for three years, scoring 42 goals and providing 11 assists in 119 games. Andres switched to Marseille in August 2010, playing 188 games for the club, managing 77 goals and 13 assists in five years. He signed for Mexico's UANL Tigres in June 2015, establishing himself as the club's legend.

André Pierre has made 374 appearances for the club, scoring 207 goals and assisting 51 times as of March 2024. He has recorded 36 caps with the French national team, scoring seven goals and four assists. The striker played in the 2020 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2016 tournament.

Andre Pierre Gignac's transfer

Andre Pierre in action in Ligue 1
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Olympique de Marseille in action against RC Lens and Olympique de Marseille at Stade de France on March 22, 2015, in Paris, France. Photo: Xavier Laine
Source: Getty Images

According to Football Transfers, Gignac is valued between $2.8 million and $4.8 million. He joined Tigres from Marseille for free. Here is a rundown of his transfer costs.

Teams

Period

Transfer fee

Tigres UANL

2015/16

Free

Olympique Marseille

2010/11

$17.3 million

FC Toulouse

2007/08

$4.9 million

Pau FC

2005

Loan

FC Lorient

2002/03

-

The French striker has received praise from fans, pundits, and players for his incredible skills and contributions to his teams. Mexico international Jurgen Damm acknowledged Gignac's talent in an interview with Goal after his move to Tigres.

"One thing you can tell somebody that doesn't know him, he's a top goalscorer wherever," Torres says. "Whatever team he'll be on, he's the top goalscorer. Right now he's broken records at Tigres, he's the top goalscorer for the team.
"I think he's the best player in Mexico right now. He's a top-paid player, and he's worth it. He's a beast, man. He's like the Black Mamba of soccer, you know?"

Andre Pierre Gignac's awards

Andre Pierre celebrates holding trophies in 2023
Andre Pierre celebrates holding the Campeón de Campeones Cup (R) and Campeones Cup (L) in 2023. Photo: @10apg (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The French striker has bagged awards for his impressive performances. He has also helped his teams to multiple trophies. Here is a breakdown of his accolades.

Marseille

  • Coupe de la Ligue: 2010–11, 2011–12

Tigres UANL

  • Liga MX: Apertura (2015, 2016, 2017), Clausura (2019, 2023)
  • Campeón de Campeones: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023
  • CONCACAF Champions League: 2020
  • FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2020
  • Campeones Cup: 2018, 2023

France (International)

  • UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2016

Frequently asked questions

Andres has solidified his position among the top footballers in the Mexican league. Here is more information about the talented French striker.

How many trophies does Gignac have?

Andre has been an incredible asset to the team since he arrived from Olympique de Marseille before the Apertura 2015 tournament. He has scored many goals, winning the Liga MX Golden Boot three times, and has guided the squad to 12 trophies, including five Liga MX titles and the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.

How many Liga MX does Gignac have?

Andre Pierre celebrates with Clausura trophy in 2023
Tigres' French Andre-Pierre Gignac celebrates with the trophy after winning the Mexican Clausura football tournament on May 28, 2023. Photo: Ulises Ruiz
Source: Getty Images

The Tigres star has won five Liga MX titles with the Mexican side. He has spent nine years with the team, becoming their all-time top scorer with 207 goals as of March 2024.

Did Gignac go to the World Cup?

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Andre made his senior international debut, starting all three of his country's matches. He represented France at UEFA Euro 2016, where they lost 0-1 to Portugal in the final after extra time.

Final word

Andres Gignac has won the Mexican League five times and the CONCACAF Champions League once with the Mexican clubs. He is still among the best players in Mexico's top division and helped lead his team to the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup finals.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.