Valère Germain

Valère Bruno René Germain (born 17 April 1990) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League team Macarthur FC.

Early life
Valère Bruno René Germain was born on 17 April 1990 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône. Germain is the son of former footballer Bruno Germain.

Monaco
In the 2009 off-season, Germain signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal. He had previously played in the Monaco Championnat de France Amateur (CFA) team that won the reserve team title in the 2008–09 season. Despite signing professional terms, the striker spent the next two seasons playing in the club's reserve team. Germain made his professional debut on 1 May 2011 in a league match against Saint-Étienne appearing as a substitute. He played in the team's final league match of the season against Lyon appearing as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat. The defeat confirmed Monaco's relegation to Ligue 2.

In the second division, Germain was permanently promoted to the senior team and, on 15 August 2011, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 loss against Reims. In the following month, he scored his second career goal in a 2–2 draw against Sedan. In the 2012–13 campaign, Germain scored 14 goals in 35 matches for AS Monaco as they got promoted to Ligue 1. On 23 July 2013, Germain signed a contract extension with Monaco, keeping him at the club until 2017. Germain was part of the AS Monaco side that won the 2016–2017 Ligue 1 title, contributing with 10 goals.

In July 2015, Germain joined Nice on loan from Monaco. Nice had an option to buy him after the end of the loan spell.

Marseille
On 25 June 2017, Monaco announced that Germain had joined Marseille. He scored his first goal on 28 July in the Europa League third qualifying round against Oostende in his debut match for Marseille (4–2).

On 3 May 2018, he played in the Europa League semi-finals away to Red Bull Salzburg – Salzburg won the game 2–1 but Marseille progressed to the final with a 3–2 aggregate victory. Germain missed a big chance early in the final as Atletico Madrid won 3–0 at the Groupama Stadium, in Lyon.

Montpellier
Following his departure from Marseille in the summer of 2021, Germain remained on the south coast of France, signing for fellow Ligue 1 side Montpellier.

Macarthur FC
After his 2 year contract with Montpellier expired, Germain moved to Australia to sign for Sydney based A-League club Macarthur FC, signing a two-year deal.

He made his debut for the club, starting in a forward position, against Shan United in the AFC Cup and scored his first goal, as well as setting up the third goal of the game, in a 3-0 win. Two weeks later on 5 October 2023, he scored a brace in another AFC Cup match against Cebu, as well as, setting up one of the goals, in a 8-2 win. Germain captained his first match as a Macarthur FC player against Central Coast Mariners on 29 October 2023, with captain Ulises Dávila placed on the bench and scored the opener, in a 2-1 win. After the match, manager Mile Sterjovski praised his performance and hope that he continued to score more goals. His impact at Macarthur FC was noticed by the Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph. Germain spoke out about settling in Australia with his wife and son. He then scored his first hat-trick in Australia, in a 4-3 win against Western Sydney Wanderers on 4 February 2024.

On 6 April 2024, Germain scored the first ever A-League Men goal at the Wyndham Regional Football Facility, scoring a 17th minute penalty in an eventual 4-2 loss to Western United FC.

International career
Germain was a France youth international having earned caps at under-21 level. He made his under-21 debut on 2 June 2011 appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Serbia.

Honours
Monaco
 * Ligue 1: 2016–17
 * Ligue 2: 2012–13

Marseille
 * UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2017–18