Georgia abuzz with transfer talk.

The winter break has prompted a flurry of activity in the Georgian transfer market with the nation's leading clubs strengthening their squads in preparation for the second half of the season.

Coach suspension
Defending champions FC Sioni Bolnisi have not had the best of starts to 2006/07. Following coach Kakhaber Tskhadadze's suspension for the remainder of the campaign for assaulting a referee, his side have slipped to seventh in the standings. Sioni are now in Moscow to take part in the annual Commonwealth Cup after overcoming initial visa complications.

Olimpi exodus
They will certainly be hoping for improved fortunes after signing FC Olimpi Rustavi players Georgi Seturidze, Lasha Kebadze, Giorgi Oniani, Tornike Aftsiauri and Georgi Kakhelishvili. Vitali Daraselia has also joined the Sioni ranks after returning from a stint in Kazakhstan.

Managerial merry-go-round
The arrival of so many Olimpi players is a product of boardroom upheaval at the home of the Umaglesi Liga leaders, which also resulted in the departure of coach Giorgi Kiknadze. Kiknadze was replaced at the helm by the experienced Revaz Dzodzuashvili, who signed a two-and-a-half year deal, while Kiknadze filled the vacancy left by Dzodzuashvili at FC Kutaisi Torpedo. Olimpi have since secured the services of goalkeeper Mirza Merlani, midfielder Zurab Arziani and striker Revaz Gotsiridze.

Turkey trip
Georgian Cup holders FC Ameri Tbilisi have been training in Turkey, where they have been joined by centre-half Mikhail Meskhi, who has accepted a two-year deal, as well as former FC Lokomotiv Moskva defender Lado Kakashvili, who is on trial. Stalwart Givi Didava, meanwhile, has extended his contract until the summer of 2008.

Friendly boost
FC Dinamo Tbilisi are also in Turkey for the second time this season. The capital club have bolstered their numbers by taking FC WIT Georgia captain David Digmelashvili on a three-year deal, finally completing their two-year hunt for the midfielder. While in Turkey, Dinamo beat FC Terek Chechenskaya Respublika 1-0 in a friendly and cast an eye over Australian triallist Ned Zelic and Slovakian defender Milosh Krshko.

Striker coup
FC Zestaponi, who have spent their winter at the Bakuriani health resort, have tied top scorer Zurab Ionanidze to a new two-year contract and also extended agreements with defender Shalva Gongadze and midfielder Kakhaber Chkhetiani. Meanwhile, defender Roin Oniani has arrived on a two-year deal.