Hugo Picard
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 Picard with Columbus Crew in 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Hugo Fabrice Thierry Picard | ||
| Date of birth | 9 May 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Cholet, France | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Columbus Crew | ||
| Number | 30 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2015 | Lorgeron-Torfou | ||
| 2015–2019 | Nantes | ||
| 2019–2021 | Guingamp | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2022 | Guingamp II | 15 | (1) |
| 2022–2025 | Guingamp | 92 | (8) |
| 2025– | Columbus Crew | 8 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:12, 26 October 2025 (UTC) | |||
Hugo Fabrice Thierry Picard (born 9 May 2003) is a French professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder or left winger for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.
Picard began playing football with his local club Lorgeron-Torfou and was scouted as a U11 by Nantes. After being released by Nantes partly due to his slight build,[1] He moved to the youth academy of Guingamp in 2019, where he continued his development.[2][3] He made his professional debut with Guingamp as a late substitute in a 4–0 Ligue 2 loss to Annecy on 8 October 2022.[4] On 3 January 2023, he signed his first professional contract with the club until June 2026.[5] Picard scored his first goal for Guingamp on 4 March 2023, during a league match against Paris FC. Starting the game, he opened the scoring with a curling shot into the top corner, helping his team secure the win.[6][7] On 10 January 2025, he had three assists in a 4–1 victory against Annecy.[8]
On 14 July 2025, Picard transferred to the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, signing a contract until 2028, with a one-year extension for 2029.[9][10] He scored his first two goals for Columbus in a U.S. Open Cup victory versus USL League One club Richmond Kickers on 15 April 2026.[11] He scored a further two goals in the following round of the U.S. Open Cup, against a second USL League One club in One Knoxville SC. His second goal was the match winner, as he helped Columbus advance to their first quarterfinal berth since 2010.[12]
Style of play
A diminutive, right-footed player, Hugo Picard has primarily been deployed on the left flank at the professional level, a role that allows him to drift inside and operate in more central areas, where he functions more as a creator than a finisher. While progressing through the youth ranks, he primarily played as a central midfielder.[13][14] Described as an "inspired dribbler and committed player," he has received praise for his creativity, energy, and tactical intelligence.[9][10] Picard has described himself as a "false winger", preferring to move into central spaces rather than remain wide on the touchline.[15]