Pierre-Alain Frau (born 15 April 1980) is a French former professional footballer. He played as a striker or winger for Sochaux (two spells), Lyon, Lens, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, and Caen in France and for Al-Wakrah.

Pierre-Alain Frau
Frau in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1980-04-15) 15 April 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth Montbéliard, France
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker, winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2004 Sochaux 207 (75)
2004–2006 Lyon 51 (9)
2005–2006Lens (loan) 24 (6)
2006–2008 Paris Saint-Germain 49 (7)
2008–2011 Lille 119 (29)
2011–2012 Caen 32 (6)
2012–2013 Al-Wakrah 20 (5)
2013–2014 Sochaux 7 (0)
Total 509 (137)
International career
2001–2002 France U21 8 (3)
Managerial career
2023 Sochaux
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 2002 Switzerland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Nicknamed PAF after his initials, Frau was born on 15 April 1980 in Montbéliard, France, where he became a young find of his hometown club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, and it was there he got his first opportunity to play in the France national league.

After completing what would have been a prospective move to Lyon from Montbéliard, he found his playing time in the 2004–05 season hampered by the presence of other established frontmen like Sylvain Wiltord, Nilmar and later, John Carew. Realising that it was a World Cup year with a slim chance to catch the attention of national coach Raymond Domenech, Frau secured a half-season loan to RC Lens, but failed to make the cut to the final France squad. Frau was called up to the senior France squad by Raymond Domenech in August 2004 but did not make it off the bench.[1] For the following season, RC Lens wanted to keep him in Lens, but Frau preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but Olympique Lyonnais priced the striker at £4 million.

On 1 January 2008, Frau signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Lille and was given the shirt number 17.

Frau is known as one of the more famous players at his hometown club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Honors

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Sochaux

Lyon

Lille

References

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  1. ^ "Zidane quits French national team". cnn.com. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  2. ^ "France Coupe de la Ligue 2003/04". RSSSF. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
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