Beka Gotsiridze: I Like a Harsh Fight with the Defense.

Beka Gotsiridze

Beka Gotsiridze, 20-year-old forward of the Georgian football team and FC “Zestaponi,” will play in the championship of Ukraine for the next 4 years. One of the most admired footballers of Georgia signed a contract with “Dnipro” and received the number 8 T-shirt. The cost of the transfer is one million Euro, which is quite a big amount by Georgian measures. The only club of the Georgian championship that received more by selling a footballer is FC “Dinamo” Tbilisi, which was 13 years ago, when Giorgi Kinkladze moved from “Dinamo” to “Manchester City” (“Dinamo” received 3.2 million USD).

Authorities of “Dnipro” were observing Gotsiridze’s game last season and Georgian newspapers and magazines wrote about the transfer several times. But official negotiations took place only now. On January 4, the Georgian forward went to Ukraine, went through the medical test and signed a contract on January 6. Georgia Today telephoned Beka Gotsiridze as soon as he signed the 4-year contract.

GT: After a good season you probably had offers from other clubs as well. Why did you choose “Dnipro”?

Beka Gotsiridze: Yes, I had some offers, but as soon as I learned about the interest of “Dnipro,” I preferred this variant, and I think I was right in my decision.

GT: Two Georgians Jaba Kankava and Sandro Kobakhidze are playing in “Dnipro.” Did you take this factor into consideration as well?

Beka Gotsiridze: Of course, I did. They are my friends and I had conversations with them before I took the decision.

GT: In Ukraine, defense players are playing much harsher than in Georgia…

Beka Gotsiridze: I know that I will have to play in a more forceful championship, but this does not make me sad. I like a harsh fight with defense players.