Yoann Gourcuff began his career in 1992 with F.C. Lorient. In 2001 he began to play for Rennes. While playing for Rennes, he attracted many supporters and the interest of other teams. Gourcuff moved to the Italian club AC Milan in 2003. He achieved many club honors with AC Milan, but did not play with the starting eleven players. In 2008 Goucuff was loaned to the French football team Girordins Bordeaux. After playing a good season, he became a permanent player for Bordeaux. Gourcuff has been compared to Zinedine Zidane because of his playing style and ability. Gourcuff has won the UNFP Ligue Player of the Year award. He was named French Player of the Year by the magazine "France Football" in 2009. In August 2010, he joined Olympique Lyonnais.