Georgia is now in the spotlight because it has succeeded in producing quality football stars. This can be proven from the appearance of the Georgia National Team . They cannot be taken lightly now. Georgia has been something to be reckoned with in recent years.
The emergence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as Napoli’s new star is attracting increasing attention. His spectacular performance since the summer of 2022 has made Georgia’s name rise. A number of big European clubs are starting to be interested in bringing in potential players from this Caucasus country.
In the 2023 summer transfer market , six Georgian players have decided to leave for the big European leagues. The following are the six Georgian players recruited by the European club.
1. Giorgi Kvernadze is on loan to Frosinone
Giorgi Kvernadze is a Georgian player who plays for Kolkheti Poti. Not having a main place at his home club, he also accepted an offer from Frosinone to strengthen the attack line. This young player is on loan for 2023/2024 with a purchase option.
Kvernadze is a player who graduated from the Saburtalo academy who left for Kolkheti Poti in January 2023. Because he did not get a main place at his previous club, he was loaned to FC Telavi and Dinamo Batumi. Together with Frosinone, he himself was only introduced as a substitute in the first match.
2. Giorgi Chakvetadze accepts Watford’s offer
Giorgi Chakvetadze accepted Watford’s offer as a loan player in 2023/2024. This decision was taken because he did not get high flying hours when defending KAA Gent. Before that, he was loaned to Hamburger SV and Slovan Bratislava.
Even though he is not yet included in Watford’s starting line-up , at least Chakvetadze is used regularly as a substitute. He has been involved in the last five matches in the 2023/2024 EFL Championship. If he performs well, he has the opportunity to become a core player. Chakvetadze could also be made permanent next season.
3. Irakli Azarovi decided to move to Shakthar Donetsk
Irakli Azarovi decided to accept the offer to defend Shakthar Donetsk in the summer of 2023. He was bought for 3 million euros (Rp. 49.4 billion) from Red Star Belgrade. Before that, Azarovi had played for local Georgian clubs, Dinamo Batumi and Dinamo Tbilisi.
Azarovi’s arrival at the club nicknamed Hirnyky is to increase the choice of players to fill the left-back position. In the last two Ukrainian League matches, he has been appointed to fill the starting line-up of his new club. Seeing his good performance, it is possible that Azarovi will still be relied on as a core player.
4. Saba Sazonov leaves for Torino
Saba Sazonov is the second Georgian player to join the Italian Serie A in the summer of 2023. The Russian-born player was bought by Torino for 2.75 million euros (Rp. 45.3 billion) from Dynamo Moscow. His arrival serves to add options in the back line after the departure of Armando Izzo.
Considering that his arrival coincided with the final seconds of the closing of the 2023 summer transfer market, he has not yet had time to defend his new club. In the match against Genoa, Sanovo did not get the chance to play. In fact, he is Dynamo Moscow’s mainstay central defender.
5. Zuriko Davitashvili made permanent at Bordeaux
Zuriko Davitashvili was made permanent by Girondins Bordeaux after performing well during the season in Ligue 2 2022/2023. He was bought from Dinamo Batumi for a price of 1.25 million euros (Rp. 20.9 billion). This 22 year old player has also signed a contract until 2027.
Before defending Les Girondins, Davitashvili had tasted the Georgian and Russian leagues. He is recorded as having defended Dinamo Batumi, Arsenal Tula, Rubin Kazan, Rotor Volgograd, FC Locomotive and Dinamo Tbilisi. With Bordeaux, he has become Coach David Guion’s mainstay right wing.
6. Georges Mikautadze decided to leave for Ajax Amsterdam
Finally, there is the most expensive Georgian player in the 2023 summer transfer market, namely Georges Mikautadze. This player born in Lyon, France, moved to Ajax Amsterdam from FC Metz with a tag of 16 million euros (Rp. 263.6 billion). According to his contract, he will defend his new club until 2028.
Ajax’s decision to bring in Mikautadze was none other than to add ammunition to the attack line, especially after the departure of Mohammed Kudus to West Ham United. As soon as he arrived at the Johan Cruijff Arena, he was installed as a starter. With Ajax, he has a great opportunity to develop and become the main striker.
The number of Georgian players who have moved to Europe’s top leagues proves that the stars from the Caucasus country are no less than the others. Considering that all of them are young players, they still have great potential to develop and become top stars in their golden age.
Source : IDNTIMES
