Eli Junior Kroupi named Ligue 2's best player ahead of Krasso and Kebbal

Europe 11 May 2025 at 15:53

Lydiane N'Po

News Editor

The 2025 UNFP Awards ceremony, held this Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, saw young sensation Eli Junior Kroupi crowned as Ligue 2's best player.

At just 18 years old, the FC Lorient striker dominated the season and stood out against tough competition, notably Jean-Philippe Krasso and Ilan Kebbal, both from Paris FC, as well as last year’s winner Gauthier Hein (FC Metz) and Maxime Lopez.

Signed by Bournemouth this winter and immediately loaned back to Lorient, he impressed with his consistency and clinical finishing. Scoring 23 goals and providing 2 assists in 32 matches across all competitions, he finished as the league’s top scorer (22 goals) and made history as the youngest ever recipient of the UNFP Ligue 2 Player of the Year Award. To top it off, the French-Ivorian was crowned Ligue 2 champion with FC Lorient on Saturday, May 10.