Eli Junior Kroupi is a French forward whose rapid rise from academy prospect to professional record breaker has made him one of the most sought after young names in modern memorabilia. Born in Lorient and already linked with top-tier clubs, he represents an appealing profile for collectors of signed shirts, authentic autographs and limited merchandise. Walkouts lists such emerging stars to help fans identify pieces with clear provenance and on-field significance.
Raised in the footballing city of Lorient, Kroupi comes from a football family, he is the son of former Ivory Coast international Éli Kroupi. A product of the Lorient academy, he began to appear for the reserve side in the Championnat National 2 at the end of the 2021-22 season and signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2022. Early exposure to senior training and competitive reserve fixtures set the tone for a swift progression into first team consideration.
He made his first appearance with the professional squad in April 2023, and then made his professional debut on 3 June 2023 during a home Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg, becoming the youngest player in the club's history. Kroupi scored his first top flight goal on 23 September 2023 away to Nantes, which set a new club record for the youngest scorer. A fortnight later he produced a defining moment on 8 October 2023 when he scored a brace against Lyon, becoming the youngest player to record a Ligue 1 brace since 1974. He was highlighted by The Guardian on 11 October 2023 as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.
Kroupi's honours to date underline his impact. He was part of the Lorient side that won Ligue 2: 2024-25. At youth international level he was a member of the France squad that finished UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2024. Individually he finished the 2024-25 Ligue 2 campaign as top goalscorer and received the UNFP Ligue 2 Player of the Year: 2024-25 award, as well as selection in the UNFP Ligue 2 Team of the Year: 2024-25.
Internationally he has represented France at youth level, first called up to the under-16s in October 2021 and later becoming a prolific presence for the under-17s, scoring nine goals in his first nine appearances. He was selected for the European Under-17 Championship in May 2023 but withdrew through injury while his team progressed to the final.
For collectors, Kroupi's early achievements create strong provenance links for memorabilia. Signed shirts and authenticated autographs from milestone matches, such as his first goal on 23 September 2023 or his brace on 8 October 2023, carry narrative value that is important to catalogue and authenticate. Items tied to record-setting appearances, official match programmes and verified club merchandise are especially sought after by fans looking for meaningful additions to their collections.
On 3 February 2025 Premier League club Bournemouth agreed to sign Kroupi, with the player remaining at Lorient for the rest of the 2024-25 season. As his career unfolds, pieces connected to early high points will maintain collector interest and provenance will be central to that appeal. For those building a modern collection, Kroupi's trajectory makes his memorabilia relevant today and likely to remain significant in future Walkouts catalogues.
