Since he arrived in Strasbourg from Clermont in the summer of 2018, Ludovic Ajorque continued to confirm a linear progression. 2021 is no exception to the rule and the Reunion center forward is very influential in the game, which is also confirmed by the statistics.
The 1m97 striker has already scored 19 goals in 2021 in Ligue 1 (including seven from the head). If he scores at Clermont, he will become the first Racing player to reach the 20 goal mark over a full calendar year in the top flight since Casimir Koza in 1962 (20) (source Racing Database).
Racing’s 15th top scorer in the first division
He has already registered 42 goals in L1 in the Strasbourg jersey, which now makes him the 15th top scorer in history in the first division. He could even enter the top 10, if he makes a big second part of the season (10th Ernst Stojaspal has scored 52 times, far from the record held by Oskar Rohr with 118 goals in L1 in the 1930s).
These numbered praise tends to make you blush Ludovic Ajorque. “Statistically speaking, this is my best start to the season, he admits. I scored more, made assists. Afterwards, I don’t watch it. I am happy because we are in a very good position. I focus on my job, helping the team win games, that’s the most important “.
“He continues to set very high goals for himself”
Excellent in back-to-goal play to retain the ball, capable of scoring with both feet and a header, the 27-year-old striker remains on his best total with a 16-goal season, but he is still hungry to progress.
“He’s a complete player who has developed his palette over time, analyzes his trainer Julien Stephan. It was not as full at the start. He already had very good skills, but he needed to work on different facets of his game. This is what he has done all the time and continues to do. What I particularly like about him is that he scored 16 goals last season and continues to set very high goals for himself. He is very demanding of himself and is not satisfied with what he has “.
Unlike other attackers, Ludovic Ajorque did not immediately explode at the highest level. Landed in France in 2012 at the age of 18, he had to go through the National (at Poiré-sur-Vie and Luçon) to harden up, before spinning in Clermont. Between 2016 and 2018, he made his first professional steps in the Auvergne club, then in Ligue 2.
“It is the praise of a thoughtful journey, with patience and constant work, summarizes Julien Stéphan. It’s also a lot of resilience for him. He started his training process later than the others, so it’s logically enough that he blew up later than others. There is no ideal course, just a career to build, and after that you have to last. And he also lasts through his resilience, his mental qualities, his remarkable state of mind, always turned towards the collective. ”
Ludovic Ajorque will replay for the premiere in Clermont
“I have very good memories in Clermont, it will be weird to come back there, smiles Ludovic Ajorque, second top scorer in L1, behind Lille’s Jonathan David. I didn’t talk too much about it with my relatives. I’m just exchanging messages with a Clermont player, Jonathan Iglesias. “
Under contract with Racing until June 2024, the value of Ludovic Ajorque is currently estimated to 12 million euros by the site Transfermarkt. The Strasbourg leaders had spent six times less money to buy it in Clermont.