Michael Olise

Michael Akpovie Olise (born 12 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich.

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 before departing for Bayern Munich in 2024.

Born in England, he represents France at youth level.

Early life
Olise was raised in Hayes, near Heathrow, and born in White City, London, to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother.

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

Reading
In July 2018, Olise was inducted into Reading's Academy scholarship program. He made his debut for Reading on 12 March 2019, in a 3–0 home defeat to Leeds United, and on 15 July, he signed a three-year professional contract with the club. 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. In April 2021 he was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season. On 29 April 2021, he was crowned EFL Young Player of the Season.

Crystal Palace
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.

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. Later that month, on 23 September, Olise made his full debut for Crystal Palace in a 1–1 home draw against Newcastle United.

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. In doing so he became Palace's youngest Premier League scorer since Clinton Morrison in 1998.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. He eventually concluded the season with ten goals and six assists in just 19 appearances under coach Oliver Glasner. His impressive form attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United. 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.

Bayern Munich
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, for a reported transfer fee of €60m including add-ons.

International career
Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England or Nigeria internationally. On 27 May 2019, he was called up to the France U18 for the 2019 Toulon Tournament. 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.

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

On 8 July 2024, he was called up in France’s squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He got his first cap with the team on 4 July 2024 during a friendly game against Paraguay. One week later, on 11 July, he scored his first two goals during another friendly match, a 7-0 win against Dominican Republic.

Style of play
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.

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.

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

Honours
Individual
 * EFL Championship Young Player of the Season: 2020–21
 * EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2020–21
 * Premier League Goal of the Month: January 2023
 * PFA Team of the Year: 2020–21 Championship
 * Reading Scholar of the Season: 2018−19
 * Crystal Palace Players’ Player of the Season: 2022–23
 * Crystal Palace Goal of the Season: 2022–23