Kakhaber Tskhadadze is a much travelled defender, and he has been part of some of the best sides in Russian football. When the cold war ended he went back to Georgia to play for Tblisi, but his interest in a career outside the eastern block was encouraged when Bundesliga-club Eintracht Frankfurt went in for his services. After four years in Frankfurt he moved on to Turkish side Alaniya, but when City offered him a chance to join up with fellow countrymen Kinkladze and Shelia, he could not resist. Despite being captain of the national team and a well respected player in all his former clubs, he had problems winning a regular place in Citys disasterous 1997/98 season, and when Royles clear-out campaign started, Kakhaber found himself free to go to any club that wanted his services. But the Georgian star was not ready to go in shame, and worked hard to prove his abilities. With injuries to Jobson and Tiatto, Kakhaber again found his way into the limelight at the start of the 1998/99 season, where he intended to stay as long as possible. Sadly this proved not to be the case, in his second league game of the season a clash with Fulham defender Chris Coleman saw Kakhaber leave the pitch with a damaged knee. The injury was so bad that it sidelined the big defender for over a year. In March 2000 City decided to pay up the remaining of his contract and release him from the club. Provided by: Svenn A. Hanssen, svenn@hanssen.priv.no |