Michael Akpovie Olise (/ˈmaɪ.kəl ɒ.'li.seɪ/ MY-kəl o-LEE-say; Igbo pronunciation: [maɪ̯.kɛl ɔ.li.se]; born 12 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Born in England, he plays for the France national team.

Michael Olise
Michael Olise for Bayern 2024
Personal information
Full name Michael Akpovie Olise[1]
Date of birth (2001-12-12) 12 December 2001 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth White City, London, England
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
Bayern Munich
Number 17
Youth career
2009 Arsenal
2009–2016 Chelsea
2016–2017 Manchester City
2017–2019 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Reading 67 (7)
2021–2024 Crystal Palace 82 (14)
2024– Bayern Munich 15 (5)
International career
2019 France U18 2 (0)
2022–2023 France U21 7 (1)
2024 France Olympic 9 (5)
2024– France 4 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place Paris 2024 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:21, 20 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:02, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

The product of various English academies, Olise made his professional debut for Reading in 2019. In 2021, he was signed by Premier League club Crystal Palace, where he spent three seasons and was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year in 2024, before moving to Bayern.

Early life

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Olise was born in White City and raised in Hayes, London,[3] to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother.[4]

Club career

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Early career

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Olise joined Hayes and Yeading around the age of six, before joining the Chelsea Academy.[3] He was a youth player at Arsenal, Chelsea (spending seven years with them before leaving aged 14), and Manchester City.[5]

Reading

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In July 2018, Olise was inducted into Reading's Academy scholarship program.[6] He made his debut for Reading on 12 March 2019, in a 3–0 home defeat to Leeds United,[7] and on 15 July, he signed a three-year professional contract with the club.[8] He scored his first league goal for Reading on 19 September 2020, volleying home in the 76th minute with the second goal in a 2–0 win over Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium.[9] In April 2021 he was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season.[10] On 29 April 2021, he was crowned EFL Young Player of the Season.[11]

Crystal Palace

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On 8 July 2021, Olise signed a five-year deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace after they had activated his £8.37 million release clause.[12]

On 11 September 2021, he made his Premier League debut for the club in a 3–0 home win against Tottenham after coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute in place of Jordan Ayew.[13][14] Later that month, on 23 September, Olise made his full debut for Crystal Palace in a 1–1 home draw against Newcastle United.[15][16]

On 3 October 2021, Olise scored his first Premier League goal for the club as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 home draw against Leicester City.[17] In doing so he became Palace's youngest Premier League scorer since Clinton Morrison in 1998.[18]

On 9 April 2023, Olise became the youngest player to assist three goals from open play in a single Premier League match in a 5–1 victory against Leeds United.[19] On 13 May, he became the first Palace player to register ten assists in a single Premier League season, setting up Eberechi Eze's second goal in a 2–0 win against Bournemouth.[20] On 17 August 2023, it was announced Olise had signed a new four-year deal with Crystal Palace, amidst reports that he was on the verge of re-joining Chelsea.[21]

Olise suffered a hamstring injury described by Palace manager Roy Hodgson as "serious" in a 4–1 defeat by Brighton on 3 February 2024, having only just come on as a substitute.[22] He returned from injury in April that year, which was followed by strong performances including scoring a brace in a 4–0 victory over Manchester United on 6 May.[23][24] He eventually concluded the season with ten goals and six assists in just 19 appearances across the season, having been invigorated under coach Oliver Glasner, and was later nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year.[25] His impressive form attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United.[26][27][28] On 7 July, the club announced that he had completed a permanent transfer to Bayern Munich, with Olise penning the club a farewell message on Instagram.[29]

Bayern Munich

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On 7 July 2024, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich announced the signing of Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year contract valid through to 30 June 2029,[30] for a reported transfer fee of €60m including add-ons.[31]

Olise made his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 DFB-Pokal win against SSV Ulm on 16 August, registering an assist for Kingsley Coman's goal within two minutes of entering the pitch.[32] On 14 September, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 6–1 victory over Holstein Kiel.[33] Three days later, he scored a brace, his first goals at the Allianz Arena, on his UEFA Champions League debut, a 9–2 win over Dinamo Zagreb.[34]

International career

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Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England or Nigeria internationally.[35] On 27 May 2019, he was called up to the France U18 for the 2019 Toulon Tournament.[36] He made his debut on 2 June 2019, against Qatar U23. In March 2021, Olise was named as a standby for the Nigeria squad taking part in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.[37]

In March 2022, Olise was called up to the France under-21 team for the first time,[38] and made his debut in the side's 2–0 win over the Faroe Islands on 24 March.[39]

On 8 July 2024, he was called up in France’s final squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[40] He had previously received his first cap with the French team on 4 July during a friendly game against Paraguay.[41] One week later, on 11 July, he scored his first two goals during another friendly match, a 7–0 win against Dominican Republic.[42] On 24 July, during France's Olympic opener against the United States, he scored a goal, contributing to the team's 3–0 victory.[43] He finished the tournament with two goals and five assists.

On 29 August, Olise was called up to the France national team for the first time by manager Didier Deschamps, for France’s matches against Italy and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.[44] He made his debut 6 September 2024 against Italy at the Parc des Princes. He started the game and played 58 minutes as France lost 1–3.[45]

Style of play

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Olise is a left-footed attacking midfielder who can play as a number 10, or either side of this position as a left or right-sided attacking midfielder. He possesses a range of passing which he can use often to play in behind the opposition defence or switch the angle of attack. He likes to operate 50 to 30 yards out from goal in the right half-space, where he can use various options to continue the attack.[46][47]

On the ball, Olise is an agile and mobile player. He is capable of turning quickly with good acceleration and change of pace, even when he is dribbling in very tight spaces or running with the ball.[47]

Personal life

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Olise's younger brother Richard is also a footballer and joined Chelsea as an Under-9, representing England at youth level.[48]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 20 December 2024[49]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Reading 2018–19[50] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2019–20[50] Championship 19 0 3 0 1 0 23 0
2020–21[51] Championship 44 7 1 0 1 0 46 7
Total 67 7 4 0 2 0 73 7
Crystal Palace 2021–22[52] Premier League 26 2 5 2 0 0 31 4
2022–23[53] Premier League 37 2 1 0 2 0 40 2
2023–24[54] Premier League 19 10 0 0 0 0 19 10
Total 82 14 6 2 2 0 90 16
Bayern Munich 2024–25[55] Bundesliga 15 5 2 0 6[c] 4 23 9
Career total 164 26 12 2 4 0 6 4 186 32
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in UEFA Champions League

International

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As of match played 14 November 2024[56]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
France 2024 4 0
Total 4 0

Honours

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France U23

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Michael Olise Profile & Stats". Premier League.
  3. ^ a b "Linked-up: How Palace's generation of local talent grew up connected - News". Crystal Palace F.C. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Michael Olise - Midfielder | First-Team". Crystal Palace F.C. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  5. ^ De Cosemo, Harry (16 April 2022). "Michael Olise: Crystal Palace winger's path from Chelsea released to Eagles star". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  6. ^ "12 youngsters inducted onto Academy scholarships". Reading F.C. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  7. ^ "East and Olise presented with framed debut shirts". Reading F.C. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Olise signs three-year professional deal with the Royals". Reading F.C. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Reading 2-0 Barnsley". BBC. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Buendia, Pukki & Toney up for EFL award". BBC Sport.
  11. ^ "Norwich's Buendia wins top EFL award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Michael Olise: Crystal Palace close to signing Reading forward". BBC Sport. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Palace beat 10-man Spurs for first win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  14. ^ Low, Jonathan (13 September 2021). "Patrick Vieira says Michael Olise must show he's a team player at Crystal Palace". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Wilson stunner rescues point for Jones' Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United – 23 October 2021 – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Palace fight back to salvage draw with Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  18. ^ Wyatt, Mark (5 October 2021). "Patrick Vieira says Michael Olise still needs time to develop". Football.London. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Leeds United 1–5 Crystal Palace". Sky Sports. 10 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Crystal Palace 2–0 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Michael Olise signs new four-year contract - News". Crystal Palace F.C. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Michael Olise: Roy Hodgson says injury for Crystal Palace winger is 'devastating'". BBC Sport. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  23. ^ Woosnam, Matt; Tharme, Liam (12 April 2024). "Michael Olise – what makes him so special?". The Athletic.
  24. ^ Aarons, Ed (6 May 2024). "Michael Olise works magic for Palace to deepen Manchester United's misery". The Guardian.
  25. ^ "Why Olise can have a major impact in 2024/25 Fantasy". Premier League. 16 June 2024.
  26. ^ Beattie, Darren (4 January 2024). "Manchester United eyeing summer move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise - paper round". Eurosport.
  27. ^ "Arsenal favourites ahead of Man Utd & Chelsea to sign Michael Olise". OneFootball. 19 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Michael Olise: Chelsea and Newcastle approach Crystal Palace about signing winger". Sky Sports. 14 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Michael Olise departs Palace for Bayern Munich". Crystal Palace F.C. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  30. ^ "FC Bayern sign Michael Olise". FC Bayern Munich. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Michael Olise transfer: Crystal Palace forward completes £50.8m move to Bayern Munich". Sky Sports. 8 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Bayern down Ulm to advance to second cup round". FC Bayern Munich. 16 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Holstein Keil 1–6 Bayern Munich". BBC Sport. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  34. ^ "Bayern Munich 9–2 Dinamo Zagreb". BBC Sport. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  35. ^ Walters, Mike (15 January 2021). "Meet Michael Olise, already the Championship's most-coveted wonderkid". mirror.
  36. ^ "Loïc Mbe Soh and Arthur Zagre with France U18". psg.fr/ (in French). Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  37. ^ "Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr clarifies Ahmed Musa is non-playing captain". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  38. ^ "Michael Olise named in France Under-21s squad". Crystal Palace F.C. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Olise makes first France U21 appearance in Faroe Islands win – News". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  40. ^ "Thierry Henry dévoile la liste officielle pour les JO 2024 avec quatre réservistes". L’Equipe. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  41. ^ "Premier test réussi face au Paraguay". FFF. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  42. ^ "L'équipe de France olympique corrige la République dominicaine en match de préparation aux JO". L’Equipe. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  43. ^ Duché, Mickaël (24 July 2024). "L'équipe de France réussit son entrée aux JO 2024 face aux États-Unis". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  44. ^ "La liste des vingt-trois Bleus" [The twenty-three Blues]. fff.fr (in French). Fédération Française de Football. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  45. ^ "France v Italy game report". ESPN. 6 September 2024.
  46. ^ "Michael Olise Scout Report: How Crystal Palace's big signing from Reading can help Vieira get off to a good start". Total Football Analysis Magazine. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Michael Olise: Reading's breakthrough teenager". Total Football Analysis Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  48. ^ "Michael Olise To Represent France At Toulon Tournament". thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/. The Tilehurst End. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  49. ^ "M.Olise". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Michael Olise in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  51. ^ "Games played by Michael Olise in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Games played by Michael Olise in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  53. ^ "Games played by Michael Olise in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  54. ^ "Games played by Michael Olise in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  55. ^ "Games played by Michael Olise in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  56. ^ "Michael Olise". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  57. ^ Ronay, Barney (9 August 2024). "Camello's extra-time double clinches football gold for Spain against France". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  58. ^ "2021 EFL Awards winners announced". EFL. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  59. ^ EFL (English Football League) [@EFL] (29 April 2021). "It's time to introduce your @SkyBetChamp Team of the Season! #EFL | #EFLAwards" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  60. ^ "Olise free-kick wins Budweiser Goal of the Month". Premier League. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  61. ^ "Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year". BBC Sport. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  62. ^ "Olise earns Scholar of the Year award". Reading F.C. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  63. ^ "Michael Olise named Players' Player of the Season 22/23". Crystal Palace F.C. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  64. ^ "Olise free-kick named Palace's 22/23 Goal of the Season". Crystal Palace F.C. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  65. ^ "Bundesliga Rookie Award". Bundesliga. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
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