Former Georgia captain and Dundee midfielder Giorgi Nemsadze has died at the age of 54 following a heart attack, as reported by BBC Sport.
Career and Tributes
Dinamo Tbilisi, the club where Nemsadze began and concluded his professional playing career, shared the news on Facebook with a heavy heart. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed deep sorrow over his passing, calling it a tremendous loss for the nation’s football community. Kobakhidze praised the former national team captain as an exceptional professional and a leader defined by a fighting spirit who left an enduring mark on Georgian sports history through his unique style and perseverance.
Before his time in Scotland, Nemsadze played for clubs including Hamburg, Trabzonspor, Grasshoppers, Reggiana, and Locomotive Tbilisi. He arrived at Dundee in 2000 during an era defined by high-profile acquisitions under manager Ivano Bonetti, which included Argentine forward Claudio Caniggia. During his three-and-a-half seasons at Dens Park, he made 17 appearances for Georgia and earned 69 total caps for his country. He was later inducted into the club’s hall of fame in April 2010, receiving the international award in a city he once described as his second home. He also returned to wear the dark blue shirt one final time in 2015 for Julian Speroni’s testimonial match.
Post-Playing Career and Club Statement
Following his retirement from playing, Nemsadze served as Dinamo’s sporting director for a year before transitioning into coaching roles with national youth teams and managing Shevardeni Tbilisi, Dila Gori, and Dinamo. Dundee released a statement on their website expressing deep sadness from everyone at the club regarding the passing of their former player and Hall of Fame inductee, while extending condolences to his family and friends during this challenging period.
Source: BBC Sport
