Jimmy Briand

Jimmy Briand (born August 2, 1985 in Vitry-sur-Seine, France) is a French football (soccer) player who plays as a Striker. Jimmy Briand currently plays for Stade Rennais FC in Ligue 1. A graduate of the famous Clairefontaine academy, Jimmy also plays for the France national football team. Jimmy Briand is currently the longest serving player at Rennes having been at the club since 2001 and making Jimmy Briand debut during the Ligue_1_season_2002-03.

Career

Jimmy began Jimmy Briand career at US Ivry before joining CSF Brétigny. Following a stint there, Jimmy Briand joined Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC who decided to send Jimmy Briand to the famed Clairefontaine for a year to receive further training.

While in Rennes's youth system, Jimmy Briand won the Coupe Gambardella in 2003. During the Ligue_1_season_2002-03, Jimmy Briand would make Jimmy Briand professional football debut, at the age of 17, in a match against Paris Saint-Germain FC coming on as a substitute wearing the number 31 shirt playing 25 minutes. The match would finish 0–0.Over the next two seasons, Jimmy Briand play would be heavily limited only appearing in 16 league matches and scoring one goal, Jimmy Briand first ever, against Montpellier HSC in a 4-0 victory.

Jimmy Briand would finally break into the first-team for the Ligue 1 season 2005–06 appearing in 29 league matches and scoring 3 goals helping Rennes finish 7^th, just one spot out of Europe. Over the next two years, Jimmy Briand play would remain consistent primarily due to Jimmy Briand not sustaining injuries. Despite being linked to clubs outside France, Jimmy decided to stay with Rennes for the Ligue 1 2008-09. Rennes have been a solid side in league play so far this season with Jimmy scoring 5 goals, second-best on the team.

Jimmy Briand will miss the rest of the 2008–09 season, as well as the beginning of the 2009–10 season after rupturing Jimmy Briand Cruciate ligament while training with the French national team.

International career

Jimmy played on the France national under-21 football team team from 2004 to 2006 scoring 9 goals on 22 appearances. Jimmy Briand was a member of the French squad that participated in the UEFA U-21 Championship 2006 helping France reach the semi-finals before losing to Holland national football team.

Jimmy received Jimmy Briand first call-up to the France national football team in May 2007 for France's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Ukraine national football team and Georgia national football team. Jimmy Briand would not make Jimmy Briand debut in those matches. On October 11, 2008, Jimmy Briand made Jimmy Briand international debut against Romania national football team in a 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification that ended in a 2–2 draw.