Name: Georgi Kinkladze

• Full name: Georgi Shotaevich Kinkladze
• Date of birth: 6 July 1973
• Place of birth: Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
• Nationality: Georgian
• Position: Attacking midfielder / Playmaker

Club career (highlights):

• Dynamo Tbilisi (youth and early senior career) — Developed in his hometown club before moving abroad.
• Anorthosis Famagusta — Brief stint in Cyprus (early career move).
• Manchester City (1995–1998) — Breakout period in England; became a cult hero at Maine Road for his dribbling, creativity and flair. Notable for spectacular solo runs and match-winning performances; voted Manchester City Player of the Year in 1995–96 and 1996–97.
• Aston Villa (1998–2000) — Moved to Villa Park but suffered from injuries and inconsistent form.
• Olympiacos (2000–2001) — Short spell in Greece.
• Stuttgart (2001, loan) — Brief loan in Germany.
• Derby County (2002–2004) — Returned to England for another spell, again hampered by injuries.
• Later career — Finished playing back in Georgia and with stints at clubs such as Rubin Kazan and Anorthosis (return), retiring mid-2000s.

International career:

• Represented the Georgia national team (1992–2006).
• Earned over 60 caps and scored multiple goals for his country.
• Key figure and creative leader for Georgia during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Playing style and legacy:

• Renowned for exceptional close control, dribbling ability, vision and flair. Often played as a classic number 10 — creating chances, unlocking defenses and scoring spectacular solo goals.
• Remembered as one of the most technically gifted players to appear in English football in the 1990s, and a cult hero among Manchester City supporters.
• Career was significantly affected by injuries and physical issues, which limited his consistency and longevity at the highest level.

Honours and recognition (selected):

• Manchester City Player of the Year: 1995–96, 1996–97
• Highly regarded in fan polls and retrospective lists as one of Manchester City's most talented and entertaining players of the pre‑Premier League/early Premier League era.

After football:

• Has remained involved in football through occasional media work, public appearances and events in Georgia. Respected as a national footballing icon.