View source for Georgi Kinkladze

{{Good article}}
{{short description|Georgian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Georgi Kinkladze
| image =
| alt = 
| caption = Kinkladze with [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in 1996
| fullname = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|7|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Tbilisi]], [[Georgian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| height = 1.73 m
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1979–1989
| youthclubs1 = [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]
| years1 = 1989–1991
| clubs1 = [[FC Mretebi Tbilisi|Mretebi Tbilisi]]
| caps1 = 80
| goals1 = 18
| years2 = 1991–1995
| clubs2 = [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]
| caps2 = 65
| goals2 = 41
| years3 = 1993
| clubs3 = → [[1. FC Saarbrücken]] (loan)
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1994
| clubs4 = → [[Boca Juniors]] (loan)
| caps4 = 3
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1995–1998
| clubs5 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| caps5 = 106
| goals5 = 20
| years6 = 1998–2000
| clubs6 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps6 = 12
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 1999–2000
| clubs7 = → [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] (loan)
| caps7 = 14
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2000–2003
| clubs8 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| caps8 = 80
| goals8 = 6
| years9 = 2004–2005
| clubs9 = [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis]]
| caps9 = 22
| goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2005–2006
| clubs10 = [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]
| caps10 = 14
| goals10 = 2
| totalcaps = 405
| totalgoals = 90
| nationalyears1 = 1992–2005
| nationalteam1 = [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]]
| nationalcaps1 = 54
| nationalgoals1 = 8
}}

'''Georgi Kinkladze''' ({{lang-ka|გიორგი ქინქლაძე}}, {{IPA|ka|ɡioɾɡi kʰinkʰlad͡zɛ|pron}}; born 6 July 1973), also spelled '''Georgiou''',<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze £5m Ajax move |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/94543.stm |work=BBC News |date=15 May 1998 |access-date=4 August 2008 |archive-date=24 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524163610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/94543.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> or '''Giorgi''',<ref name="lawyer"/> or shortened to '''Gio''',<ref>{{cite news |title='Gio is the best of the lot' – says Lee |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/archive/1996/03/01/Lancashire+Archive/6210666._Gio_is_the_best_of_the_lot____says_Lee/ |newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph|Lancashire Evening Telegraph]] |date=1 March 1996 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007130947/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/archive/1996/03/01/Lancashire+Archive/6210666._Gio_is_the_best_of_the_lot____says_Lee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a Georgian former [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[playmaker|playmaking midfielder]].

Born in the Georgian capital [[Tbilisi]], his first professional club was [[Mretebi Tbilisi]]. In Georgia he won three league titles and two cups with [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]], and was named national player of the year twice. He first came to international prominence with his performances for the [[Georgia national football team|Georgian national team]] against [[Wales national football team|Wales]] in 1994 and 1995.

Kinkladze transferred from Dinamo Tbilisi to English [[Premier League]] club [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in 1995, where his dribbling ability and spectacular goals made him a cult hero, winning the club's Player of the Year award in two consecutive seasons. Kinkladze stayed with Manchester City despite [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] to the [[Football League First Division]] in 1996, but the club continued to decline, and after a second relegation in 1998 he joined Dutch champions [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]. With his national team, he won the [[Malta International Football Tournament]] 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=11055|title=Malta vs Georgia, 10 February 1998|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711201031/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=11055|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kinkladze was unable to settle in the Netherlands, and returned to England with [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] a little over a year later. He spent four years at Derby, making nearly 100 appearances. After leaving Derby in 2003, he became a [[Journeyman (sports)#Association football|journeyman footballer]], having unsuccessful trials at several clubs before joining Cypriot club [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis]] in 2004, where he won a [[Cypriot First Division|league championship]] medal. He finished his playing career with Russian club [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]] in 2006.

==Early life==
Georgi Kinkladze was born on 6 July 1973 in [[Tbilisi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], which was then part of the [[Soviet Union]]. As a child, he lived in the Didube district of the city with his father, Robinzon (an engineer),<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgi Kinkladze's father robbed |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/3/nl030560.html |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=5 March 2002 |access-date=26 February 2008 |archive-date=15 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415125241/http://news.sport-express.ru/2002-03-05/30560 |url-status=live }}</ref> his mother Khatuna (a teacher) and his elder sister.<ref name="perfect10p26">{{cite book |title=Kinkladze: The Perfect 10? |last=Clayton |first=David |year=2005 |publisher=Parrs Wood Press |location=Manchester |isbn=1-903158-60-5 |page=26 }}</ref> Robinzon was keen to see his son succeed as a footballer, sometimes making him walk around the family home on his knees to strengthen his legs, and enrolled him for [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]'s junior side when he was six years old.<ref name="perfect10p26"/> Khatuna disapproved of some of her husband's methods, instead taking Georgi to lessons in ''[[Georgian Dances|mtiuluri]]'', a traditional Georgian ballet.<ref name="UEFA">{{cite news|title=Kinkladze reborn at Rubin |first=Dan |last=Brennan |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=8/newsid=383001.html |work=Union of European Football Associations |date=6 January 2006 |access-date=5 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526162758/http://en.archive.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind%3D8/newsid%3D383001.html |archive-date=26 May 2008 }}</ref> Over the next few years, Kinkladze played in Dinamo Tbilisi's youth teams, progressing as far as the [[reserve team]], where he played alongside [[Shota Arveladze]], who would later become his teammate at both senior and international level.<ref name="perfect10p30">Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 30.</ref>

==Playing career==

===Early career===
When [[Football in Georgia (country)|Georgian football]] formed leagues independent of Soviet competition in 1989, a family friend arranged for Kinkladze to move to [[FC Mretebi Tbilisi|Mretebi Tbilisi]], the first openly professional club in the Soviet Union.<ref name="perfect10p30"/> Mretebi Tbilisi were a smaller club playing at a lower level, but the move gave Kinkladze the opportunity to play first team football instead of playing for Dinamo's second team. Kinkladze made his professional debut aged 16, and immediately became a first team regular. In 1991 Kinkladze's Mretebi won the [[Pirveli Liga]], and won [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the highest division following a play-off.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/geor91.html |title=Georgia 1991 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=2 July 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720135637/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/geor91.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After a season in the top flight with Mretebi, Kinkladze was signed by Dinamo Tbilisi, the team he represented as a youth, for one million [[Soviet rouble|roubles]].<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 31.</ref> In September 1992, shortly after signing for Dinamo, Kinkladze made his senior international debut, aged 19. The match, against [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]], was the Georgian national side's fourth since breaking from the Soviet Union in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/geor-intres.html |title=Georgia – International Results |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=8 April 2008 |archive-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015054743/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/geor-intres.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze's youth-level teammate Shota Arveladze also played in the match, and Kinkladze provided an [[assist (football)|assist]] for a goal by Arveladze.<ref name="Perfect 10 p32"/>

In Kinkladze's first season at the club, Dinamo won a league and cup double.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/geor93.html |title=Georgia 1992/1993 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=2 July 2011 |archive-date=14 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314200936/http://rsssf.com/tablesg/geor93.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, due to the ongoing [[Georgian Civil War]], during 1993 the Dinamo Tbilisi management sought to put their players in a more stable environment. As part of this, Kinkladze was sent on [[Loan (association football)|loan]] to [[1. FC Saarbrücken]] in Germany.<ref name="Perfect 10 p32">Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 32.</ref> Kinkladze made his Saarbrücken debut in a [[2. Fußball-Bundesliga|2. Bundesliga]] match against [[Tennis Borussia Berlin]], a 2–2 draw on 4 March 1994. He was unable to settle into the side at Saarbrücken, rarely playing a full 90 minutes, and was [[Misconduct (association football)#Sending-off offences (red card)|sent off]] in a 1–3 defeat to [[Hertha BSC|Hertha Berlin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/kinkladzegeorgi/1994/ |title=Georgi Kinkladze |publisher=Fussballdaten |language=de |access-date=28 January 2008 |archive-date=17 January 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050117201005/http://fussballdaten.de/spieler/kinkladzegeorgi/1994/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the season, Kinkladze returned to Tbilisi to resume his career in Georgia, where he was named the [[Georgian Footballer of the Year|national Player of the Year]] for 1993.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 34.</ref> Dinamo president [[Merab Jordania]] was still uncomfortable with Kinkladze playing in Georgia amid political instability, and offered the player to [[Atlético Madrid]] for approximately [[Pound sterling|£]]200,000; they gave him a trial, but no contract. He then trained with [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]'s reserves, where he caught the eye of [[Boca Juniors]] scouts, who took him to [[Argentina]] for a month's loan. Kinkladze met his childhood hero [[Diego Maradona]], but did not gain a permanent contract, as manager [[Silvio Marzolini]] regarded him as too similar to Boca's Argentine international playmaker [[Alberto Márcico]].<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 32–33.</ref>

In September 1994, Kinkladze was part of the [[Georgia national football team|Georgian]] team that played [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]] in Tbilisi. Italian clubs became interested in Kinkladze after seeing footage of his performance, and the Italian press nicknamed Kinkladze the "[[Gianni Rivera|Rivera]] of the Black Sea", but no concrete attempts to sign him took place.<ref name="p10-35"/> It was not until [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] chairman [[Francis Lee (footballer)|Francis Lee]] saw the recording that negotiations for a permanent move abroad occurred. Enthused by Kinkladze's display, Lee contacted Jordania, securing an agreement that Manchester City would have first refusal should Dinamo wish to sell the player.<ref name="p10-35">Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 35–36.</ref>

Two months later, Kinkladze scored his first international goal as Georgia defeated [[Wales national football team|Wales]] 5–0. Wales goalkeeper [[Neville Southall]] later said of the game "They murdered us... [Kinkladze] was different class and the best player on the pitch by a mile."<ref name="p10-35"/> When the teams met again at [[Cardiff Arms Park]], scouts from several clubs saw Kinkladze score the only goal of the game with a 20-yard (18 m) chip over Southall.<ref name="p10-35"/> In his last season with Dinamo, the team once again won the double.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/geor95.html |title=Georgia 1994/1995 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=2 July 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720135702/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/geor95.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze had scored 14 goals in 21 appearances, and clubs from several countries expressed interest in signing him. Jordania kept true to his agreement with Lee, and on 15 July 1995, Kinkladze signed for Manchester City. The fee was generally reported as £2 million.<ref name="Everything">{{cite book |title=Everything under the blue moon: the complete book of Manchester City FC – and more! |first=David |last=Clayton |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |year=2002 |location=Edinburgh |page=122 |isbn=1-84018-687-9 }}</ref> After initial difficulties obtaining a [[work permit]], Kinkladze made his debut for Manchester City against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in a 1–1 draw on 19 August 1995.<ref name="Complete Record">{{cite book |title=Manchester City – The Complete Record |first=Gary |last=James |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing |year=2006 |location=Derby |pages=224–5 |isbn=1-85983-512-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rosler quick on the draw |first=Stephen |last=Brenkley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rosler-quick-on-the-draw-1597156.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=20 August 1995 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073058/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rosler-quick-on-the-draw-1597156.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Manchester City===
Manchester City's form was poor during the [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96 season]]. The team failed to win a single league game in the first three months of the season, but Kinkladze quickly became a popular figure.<ref>{{cite book |title=Blue Moon Rising: The Fall and Rise of Manchester City |first=Andy |last=Buckley |author2=Richard Burgess |publisher=Milo Books |year=2000 |location=Bury |page=101 |isbn=0-9530847-4-4 }}</ref> Kinkladze's first goal for the club occurred in a 1–0 win against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], following a [[:wikt:one-two|one-two]] with [[Niall Quinn]].<ref>{{cite news |title=City on higher ground |first=Jon |last=Culley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-on-higher-ground-1583793.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=26 November 1995 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073444/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-on-higher-ground-1583793.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze was initially homesick, as he was living in a hotel and spoke little English.<ref>Blue Moon Rising, p. 97.</ref> In an effort to resolve his homesickness, his mother moved to Manchester to provide him with familiar food.<ref name="Guardiantricks">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze back to his old tricks |first=Roy |last=Collins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/dec/04/newsstory.ajax |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 December 1999 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=18 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218050455/http://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/dec/04/newsstory.ajax |url-status=live }}</ref> By the time Manchester City travelled to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 9 December 1995, press and supporters regarded Kinkladze as the star player of the Manchester City side.<ref>Blue Moon Rising, p. 101. "With [[Uwe Rosler|Rosler]] badly out-of-sorts, it was Kinkladze who quickly became a terrace hero, an icon for fans who needed something to grasp on to."</ref> The match against Middlesbrough was billed as a contest between Kinkladze and the Brazilian playmaker [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]. Kinkladze scored the opening goal with a solo effort, but the match ended 4–1 to Middlesbrough.<ref>{{cite news |title=Juninho up and running |first=Norman |last=Fox |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/juninho-up-and-running-1525082.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=10 December 1995 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073111/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/juninho-up-and-running-1525082.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the Middlesbrough fans subsequently voted Kinkladze the "Best Opposing Player of the Season".<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, pp. 59–60.</ref> On 16 March 1996, Kinkladze scored a particularly spectacular goal in a 2–1 win against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]. Kinkladze beat five players before [[wikt:chip|chipping]] the ball over Southampton goalkeeper [[Dave Beasant]].<ref name="Everything"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze lifts City clear |first=Dave |last=Hadfield |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/kinkladze-lifts-city-clear-1342560.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |date=17 March 1996 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073127/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/kinkladze-lifts-city-clear-1342560.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The goal won BBC programme [[Match of the Day]]'s "Goal of the Month", and placed second in the programme's "Goal of the Season" competition.<ref name="Complete Record"/>

On the final day of the season, Manchester City were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]], prompting transfer speculation linking Kinkladze to a number of clubs including [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]],<ref name="rumours">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze rumours anger Lee |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/kinkladze-rumours-anger-lee-1344404.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 1996 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073139/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/kinkladze-rumours-anger-lee-1344404.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Internazionale]],<ref name="rumours"/> [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]],<ref name="move">{{cite news |title=Liverpool ready to move for Kinkladze |first=Alan |last=Nixon |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/liverpool-ready-to-move-for-kinkladze-1362843.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 September 1996 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073239/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/liverpool-ready-to-move-for-kinkladze-1362843.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]].<ref name="Everything"/><ref name="move"/> However, he opted to stay at Manchester City, where he had been named Player of the Year for 1995–96.<ref name="handbook">{{cite book |title=Manchester City F.C. Official Handbook 1997–98 |editor-first=Julian |editor-last=Baskcomb  |publisher=Polar Print Group |year=1997 |location=Leicester |page=87 }}</ref> The [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97 season]] proved a turbulent one for Manchester City, and over the course of the season, Kinkladze played for five different managers. With [[Keith Curle]] no longer at the club, Kinkladze became the main [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] taker,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fact File |first=Neil |last=Barker |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/48/48206_fact_file.html |newspaper=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=31 December 2002 |access-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112165315/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/48/48206_fact_file.html |archive-date=12 November 2012 }}</ref> and also scored a number of goals from free-kicks, including a 35-yard (32 m) effort against [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] described by English newspaper ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' as "like a missile".<ref>{{cite news|title=City's Goalden Moments |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/49/49299_citys_goalden_moments.html |newspaper=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=15 January 2003 |access-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112165339/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/49/49299_citys_goalden_moments.html |archive-date=12 November 2012 }}</ref> In the First Division, Kinkladze frequently had two or even three opposing players assigned to [[Marking (association football)#Man-to-man marking|man mark]] him. Several teams chose to combat Kinkladze's playmaking skill with robust tackles; in one such match on 11 January 1997, against [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], Kinkladze had to be stretchered off following a challenge by [[David Hopkin]].<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 96.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=City miss chance to mortify Bassett |first=Guy |last=Hodgson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-miss-chance-to-mortify-bassett-1282944.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=13 January 1997 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073253/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-miss-chance-to-mortify-bassett-1282944.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Manchester City finished the season well below the promotion places, and again, there was speculation that Kinkladze would leave the club. At the final match of the season on 3 May 1997, a 3–2 win against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], Manchester City supporters campaigned to keep Kinkladze at the club, even though he was not playing in the match, due to injury.<ref>Blue Moon Rising, p. 143.</ref> The campaign even extended to the half-time advertisements on the scoreboard, the "adverts" being messages from supporter groups who had paid to display them.<ref name="handbook"/> Kinkladze was named Player of the Year for the second consecutive season,<ref name="handbook"/> and one month after the season ended, he announced his intention to stay at the club by signing a new three-year contract.<ref name="rumours"/> Kinkladze used the proceeds from his new contract to buy a [[Ferrari]], though the car caused consternation among club officials. Their fears were realised on 29 October 1997, when Kinkladze lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a motorway bridge in [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Soccer Kinky crashes his pounds 50K Ferrari; City star escapes with bruises |first=Stephen |last=White |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SOCCER+KINKY+CRASHES+HIS+pounds+50K+FERRARI;+City+star+escapes+with...-a061060372 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |publisher=The Free Library |date=29 October 1997 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022133931/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SOCCER+KINKY+CRASHES+HIS+pounds+50K+FERRARI;+City+star+escapes+with...-a061060372 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze received back injuries requiring 30 [[Surgical suture|stitches]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Kinkladze keen to play despite crash |first=Guy |last=Hodgson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-kinkladze-keen-to-play-despite-crash-1291465.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 November 1997 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110073458/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-kinkladze-keen-to-play-despite-crash-1291465.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and missed two matches as a result.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 113.</ref>

Manchester City's downward trajectory toward the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] continued in the [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98]] season, and on 17 February 1998, manager [[Frank Clark (footballer)|Frank Clark]] was sacked. His replacement, [[Joe Royle]], was appointed City manager on 18 February 1998. He had a reputation for playing defensive midfielders, which led to his [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] team being nicknamed the "Dogs of War".<ref>{{cite news |title=Ipswich's Royle command |first=Phil |last=McNulty |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/2367795.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 October 2002 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=2 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702024000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/2367795.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Royle viewed Kinkladze as an unaffordable luxury in a relegation battle, and in his first board meeting as Manchester City manager, he opened proceedings with the words "We have to sell Kinkladze".<ref name="rising157">Blue Moon Rising, p. 157.</ref> After playing the first two games under Royle, a 1–2 loss on 18 February against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Royle era starts with classic City flop |first=Derick |last=Allsop |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-royle-era-starts-with-classic-city-flop-1145725.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=19 February 1998 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110074734/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-royle-era-starts-with-classic-city-flop-1145725.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a 3–1 win against [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] on 23 February,<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Royle appointment could be right one this time |first=Jon |last=Culley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-royle-appointment-could-be-right-one-this-time-1146445.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=23 February 1998 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110074758/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-royle-appointment-could-be-right-one-this-time-1146445.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze sustained an ankle injury, which sidelined him for a month. He made his return at [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] on 14 March, despite having taken little part in training in the preceding week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scrap Iron |first=Richard |last=Burgess |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=20 March 1998 |page=Back page}}</ref> Port Vale were a team with a physically robust approach, and used the muddy conditions to their advantage.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 121.</ref> Kinkladze was played out of position on the right wing, much to his displeasure,<ref name="rising158"/> and gave a performance that the ''Manchester Evening News'' summarised as "barely noticeable".<ref>{{cite news |title=The End Is Nigh |first=Richard |last=Burgess |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=20 March 1998 |page=Sport supplement pp. 8–9}}</ref> Vale defeated City 2–1, and Royle severely criticised Kinkladze for a lack of effort, dropping him for the next six games.<ref name="rising158">Blue Moon Rising, p. 158.</ref> In 2005, Royle explained his view of Kinkladze in his autobiography: "To the supporters he was the only positive in all that time. To me, he was a big negative. I am not saying that City's ills were all down to Kinkladze, but there was too much about the whole Kinkladze cult phenomenon that wasn't right ...too often since his arrival, the team had under-performed. I couldn't help deducing that contrary to popular opinion, he would be my weak link not my strong one."<ref>{{cite news|title=Royle: Why Kinkladze had to go |first=Chris |last=Bailey |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/177/177336_royle_why_kinkladze_had_to_go.html |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=11 October 2005 |access-date=5 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112165959/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/177/177336_royle_why_kinkladze_had_to_go.html |archive-date=12 November 2012 }}</ref> With two games remaining, Manchester City were in the relegation places, and Kinkladze was restored to the starting lineup for the home match against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] (QPR). The QPR team contained [[Vinnie Jones]], who had a violent reputation and played using the axiom "if their top geezer gets sorted out early doors, you win".<ref>{{cite news |title='If their top geezer gets sorted out early doors, you win' – Vinnie Jones |first=Jim |last=White |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/if-their-top-geezer-gets-sorted-out-early-doors-you-win--vinnie-jones-1581436.html |newspaper=Independent |date=11 November 1995 |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124517/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/if-their-top-geezer-gets-sorted-out-early-doors-you-win--vinnie-jones-1581436.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jones tried to apply his philosophy to Kinkladze, even targeting him in the tunnel before the start of the match.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 124.</ref> Kinkladze opened the scoring with a free kick, but City could not maintain their lead. Defending described by ''[[The Observer]]'''s reporter as a "calamity" culminated in an unusual [[own goal]] from [[Jamie Pollock]], and meant the match ended in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lap of dishonour as City farce plays on |first=Guy |last=Hodgson |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19980427/ai_n14159649 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210012530/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19980427/ai_n14159649 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 April 1998 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Drop looms for comical City |first=Duncan |last=Mackay |newspaper=The Observer |date=26 April 1998 |page=B2}}</ref> City were relegated for the second time in three seasons despite a final day 5–2 win against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>Blue Moon Rising, p. 164.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Surreal tale of two relegated Citys |first=Phil |last=Shaw |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-surreal-tale-of-two-relegated-citys-1161351.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 May 1998 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110075816/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-surreal-tale-of-two-relegated-citys-1161351.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In total, Kinkladze made 119 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 22 goals. He played regular international football during this period of his career, including in a 0–0 draw with three-time World Cup winners Italy.<ref name="rsssf97_2"/>

===Ajax===
Following transfer negotiations which had been ongoing in the final months of the season, Kinkladze left Manchester City for Dutch club [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] for £5 million.<ref name="Complete Record"/> The move brought a reunion with Shota Arveladze, with whom he shared a house in Amsterdam.<ref name="K 136">Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 136.</ref> However, Kinkladze's spell at Ajax proved unsuccessful. He was originally signed as a replacement for [[Jari Litmanen]], but Litmanen stayed at Ajax as his proposed move to Barcelona fell through. As a result, Kinkladze played in an unfamiliar left-wing position.<ref name="Ajax_agony">{{cite news |title=Kinky: Jim saved me from Ajax agony |first=Dave |last=Smith |newspaper=[[The Sunday Mirror]] |date=5 December 1999}}</ref> His league debut for Ajax came in a 2–0 win against [[Willem II (football club)|Willem II]] on 23 August 1998,<ref name="K 136"/> but he made few starts. To compound matters, manager [[Morten Olsen]] was sacked early in the season, and a disagreement with replacement [[Jan Wouters]] resulted in Kinkladze losing his place in the team.<ref name="Indy1">{{cite news |title=Derby pray for second coming of Kinkladze |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-derby-pray-for-second-coming-of-kinkladze-1134897.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=28 December 1999 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110074811/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-derby-pray-for-second-coming-of-kinkladze-1134897.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "I could have been Maradona and he wouldn't have changed the system to accommodate me", Kinkladze recalled later. "I wasn't playing football and that made my life hell."<ref name="Ajax_agony"/> He immediately started to look elsewhere. Several English top-flight clubs showed interest in signing him, but were discouraged by work permit issues. His lack of regular playing time also resulted in him losing his place in the Georgian national team.<ref name="Indy1"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Where is Kinkladze ever going to play? |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?1394 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032656/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?1394 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=22 March 1999 |access-date=8 February 2008 }}</ref> Having failed to established himself in the first team and struggling with a succession of injuries, he made just 12 appearances for Ajax in his first season.<ref name="nieuws"/>

Kinkladze was not issued a squad number for his second season,<ref name="Indy1"/> and was made to train with the reserve team.<ref name="nieuws">{{cite news |title=Ajax-speler Kinkladze definitief naar Derby |url=http://www.nieuwsbank.nl/inp/2000/04/0419G092.htm |work=Nieuwsbank |language=nl |date=19 April 2000 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=10 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210032016/http://www.nieuwsbank.nl/inp/2000/04/0419G092.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 1999, Kinkladze held transfer talks with [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], but no move materialised.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Blades' bold bid to capture Kinkladze |first=Lindsay |last=Harrison |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-blades-bold-bid-to-capture-kinkladze-1121316.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=23 September 1999 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110075832/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-blades-bold-bid-to-capture-kinkladze-1121316.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Two months later, a return to England was secured in the form of a loan move to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Kinkladze returns to Premiership in Derby loan deal |first=Tommy |last=Staniforth |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kinkladze-returns-to-premiership-in-derby-loan-deal-1122002.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=2 November 1999 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110075843/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kinkladze-returns-to-premiership-in-derby-loan-deal-1122002.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Derby County===
[[File:Pride Park.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]], where Kinkladze played for [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] between 2000 and 2003.]]
As Kinkladze was not playing regular international football when he signed for Derby, he was not automatically entitled to a work permit, but a review panel gave him special dispensation, due to his previous contribution to English football.<ref name="Indy1"/> He made his debut on 28 November 1999, coming on as a substitute for [[Avi Nimni]] in a 1–2 loss against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Highbury rewarded as Henry rises to occasion |first=Peter |last=Conchie |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-highbury-rewarded-as-henry-rises-to-occasion-1129525.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=29 November 1999 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110075941/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-highbury-rewarded-as-henry-rises-to-occasion-1129525.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the first of 14 loan appearances. He scored his first Derby goal on 4 March 2000 in a 4–0 win against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wimbledon left in disarray as Kinkladze restores home pride |first=Russell |last=Thomas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/mar/06/match.sport |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 March 2000 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509011624/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/mar/06/match.sport |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the season, the loan move was made permanent. The transfer fee of £3 million set a club record that stood until 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby aim for survival |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/872483.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2000 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Derby snap up £3.5m Earnshaw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/29/newsstory.derbycounty |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 June 2007 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220050105/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/29/newsstory.derbycounty |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kinkladze missed the start of the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01 season]] due to a hernia operation,<ref name="DET1">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze injury blow |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/832862.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2000 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/832862.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> to the disappointment of Smith, who expected him to become a leading figure at the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Our people in Europe: Great Britain |first=Georgy |last=Kudinov |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2000-07-25/5_3/ |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=25 July 2000 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405194658/http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2000-07-25/5_3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to the side as a substitute against Middlesbrough on 6 September 2000. With Derby 3–0 down, Kinkladze and [[Malcolm Christie]] were introduced in a double substitution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby stage comeback to earn point |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/912672.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2000 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}</ref> The pair then proved influential as Derby came back to draw the match 3–3.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 157.</ref> During the next four months, Kinkladze was sometimes a starter and sometimes a substitute, rotating with [[Stefano Eranio]], until a groin injury sustained in the return match with Middlesbrough kept Kinkladze out for two months.<ref name="DET1"/> Over the season, Kinkladze "showed little of the brilliance he was bought in to deliver" and was named Derby's biggest disappointment of the season by ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby County |first=Dan |last=Rookwood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/21/sport.comment4 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 May 2001 |access-date=16 April 2008 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509232125/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/21/sport.comment4 |url-status=live }}</ref> The match against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] on 23 September 2000 was a rare success for him. He came on as a substitute with 17 minutes remaining and levelled the game 1–1 with a solo goal two minutes later, jinking between two defenders before curling a left-foot shot beyond the goalkeeper.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinky silences mob |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/sep/25/match.sport2 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 September 2000 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220050211/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/sep/25/match.sport2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Derby struggled for most of the season, but avoided relegation. Kinkladze stayed at the club, since his injuries and inability to prove himself led to a lack of serious offers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze stays at Derby |url=http://www.sports.ru/football/2946751.html |work=Sports |language=ru |date=29 June 2001 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162846/http://www.sports.ru/football/2946751.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Around this time, he married Louise Tai, a [[wikt:Mancunian|Mancunian]]. Louise then became a member of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Church]] and was christened in Tbilisi, receiving a new name – Mariam.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgi Kinkladze marries English |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/2001-07-05/16095 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=5 July 2001 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807213952/http://news.sport-express.ru/2001-07-05/16095 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their first child, Saba, was born in October 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=A son is born in Kinkladze's family |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/2001-10-26/23741 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=26 October 2001 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807214015/http://news.sport-express.ru/2001-10-26/23741 |url-status=live }}</ref>

For Kinkladze, the start of the [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02 season]] followed a similar pattern to the previous season, comprising a mixture of starts and substitute appearances. [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]] resigned from his managerial position at Derby on 7 October 2001,<ref>{{cite news |title=Past managers |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/clubhistory/pastmanagers/ |newspaper=[[Oxford Mail]] |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925083510/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/clubhistory/pastmanagers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> leaving Kinkladze, a Smith favourite, bitterly disappointed.<ref name="Todd">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze put up for sale |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1749114.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2002 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}</ref> The appointment of new manager [[Colin Todd]] signalled a change in the club's playing style. Todd did not favour flair players, and Kinkladze made only a single substitute appearance in Todd's first two months in charge.<ref name="Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p165">Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 165.</ref> Frustrated by a lack of opportunities, Kinkladze took the unusual step of using his lawyer to arrange a meeting with Todd to discuss his exclusion from the first team.<ref name="lawyer">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze put up for sale |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1749114.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2002 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403050753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1749114.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Todd reacted by telling Kinkladze he could leave the club if he was unhappy.<ref name="Todd"/> According to Kinkladze's agent, Manchester City, as well as Spanish clubs [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] and [[Málaga CF|Málaga]], were all interested in signing Kinkladze.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valencia wants Georgi Kinkladze |url=http://www.sports.ru/football/2940924.html |work=Sports |language=ru |date=11 December 2001 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163006/http://www.sports.ru/football/2940924.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Todd was sacked on 14 January 2002 with Derby second from bottom of the Premier League,<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby sack Todd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1760471.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2002 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010083459/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1760471.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[John Gregory (footballer)|John Gregory]] was appointed as manager on 30 January 2002.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gregory named Derby boss |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1790833.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2002 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403043633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1790833.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze stayed at the club, playing regular first team football in the remainder of the season, but Derby continued to struggle, and Kinkladze endured relegation for the third time in his career. The club, who were £35 million in debt, started an end-of-season clear-out to reduce their annual £17 million wage bill.<ref>{{cite news |first=Adrian |last=Milledge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/aug/21/newsstory.sport4 |title=Derby cut losses on high earners |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 August 2002 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=9 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909182952/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/aug/21/newsstory.sport4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Derby's actions included off-loading of some of the highest earners, and the manager informed Kinkladze that he had no future at the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinky surplus to Rams requirements |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1966785.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2002 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214923/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/1966785.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Kinkladze, whose contract ended in summer 2003, was reluctant to leave the club and turned down a move to Turkish champions [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze rejects Gala move |first=Peter |last=O'Leary |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11696_2236763,00.html |work=Sky Sports |date=7 May 2002 |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021183805/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11696_2236763,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As the club continued its attempts to terminate Kinkladze's contract, he trained with the reserve team up to 29 September 2002, missing Derby's first five matches of the [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10270~2002,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032719/http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10270~2002,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Fixtures |publisher=Derby County |access-date=5 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Round-up |first=David |last=Harbord |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/sep/02/newsstory.sport5 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 September 2002 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=9 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909194757/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/sep/02/newsstory.sport5 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was brought back to the first team following two defeats, introduced as a substitute after an hour's stalemate against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 31 August. His introduction proved crucial in turning the game into a 2–0 win for Derby, as he took part in the build-up of both goals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze's boots do the talking |first=Peter |last=Gardner |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3033756/Kinkladzes-boots-do-the-talking.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 September 2002 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121752/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3033756/Kinkladzes-boots-do-the-talking.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He then missed a number of matches through injuries, featuring in around half of Derby's games in the remainder of 2002. In October 2002, Georgian national team manager [[Aleksandr Chivadze]] unexpectedly omitted Kinkladze and captain [[Georgi Nemsadze]] from the team for their match against [[Russian national football team|Russia]], causing a stir in Georgia.<ref name="Chiv_oct2002">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze was offended by Chivadze |url=http://www.sports.ru/football/2930457.html |newspaper=Sports |language=ru |date=3 October 2002 |access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163037/http://www.sports.ru/football/2930457.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze, surprised and disappointed, said: "When I was out of form, he constantly phoned me, asked me about my play and called me to the team. Now I'm fit, scoring goals, but he didn't call me and even didn't phone."<ref name="Chiv_oct2002"/> Both Kinkladze and Nemsadze returned to the starting line-up for the next [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championship]] qualifying match on against [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Ireland]].<ref name="int2003">{{cite news |title=Duff and Doherty keep Ireland afloat |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2004/round=1579/match=69050/report=rp.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105023734/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/euro2012/history/season=2004/round=1579/match=69050/report=rp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2013 |work=Union of European Football Associations |date=29 March 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 }}</ref> By January, because of the financial crisis at Derby, Kinkladze had not been paid for more than three months.<ref name="DerbyExitJan2003">{{cite news |title=Kinkladze eyes Derby exit |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/2668491.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402191042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/2668491.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He intended to quit, but although his agent admitted interest from German side [[Hamburger SV|Hamburg]] and a second enquiry from Galatasaray,<ref name="DerbyExitJan2003"/> no move transpired and he remained at the club. He played for Derby more often in the second half of the season, and his form resulted in him being named the supporters Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rams Player of the Year announced |author=Footymad |url=http://www.derbycounty-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/rams_player_of_the_year_announced_102609/index.shtml |work=Derby County Mad |date=3 May 2003 |access-date=20 October 2007 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723051131/http://www.derbycounty-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/rams_player_of_the_year_announced_102609/index.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Derby finished the season in the bottom half of the table, and needed to reduce costs for the next season as their Premier League [[Premier League#Widening gap with lower leagues|parachute payments]] had ended. As a result, Derby offered Kinkladze a one-year contract, but on a wage one third of that of his previous contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=Martin O'Neill wants to see Kinkladze in Celtic |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/2003-06-22/48723 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=22 June 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807214105/http://news.sport-express.ru/2003-06-22/48723 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze waits on Celtic |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3014596.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3014596.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Kinkladze decided to turn down this contract extension proposal, desiring a move to a more successful club with a chance of winning trophies. To this end, he held talks with Liverpool in May 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze may find himself in Liverpool |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/2003-05-17/46709 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=17 May 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807214030/http://news.sport-express.ru/2003-05-17/46709 |url-status=live }}</ref> As contract negotiations with Derby did not reach a positive conclusion, Kinkladze left the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kinkladze departs Derby |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/3008014.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2003 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220051840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/3008014.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Without a club during pre-season, Kinkladze trained with [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], where his former manager Jim Smith was on the managing staff. He played for Portsmouth in one pre-season friendly,<ref>[https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/pompey-deny-kinkladze-link] {{dead link|date=November 2021}}</ref> but Portsmouth decided instead to sign another former Manchester City playmaker, [[Eyal Berkovic]].<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 177.</ref> Over the next few months, he was linked with moves to Scottish clubs [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] and Celtic but none resulted in a contract offer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dundee end Kinkladze bid |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3144342.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2003 |access-date=5 August 2008 |archive-date=22 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622133208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3144342.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lomax |first=Andrew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2406577/Kinkladze-keen-on-Celtic-move.html |title=Kinkladze keen on Celtic move |access-date=21 October 2007 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=24 June 2003 |archive-date=11 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111054023/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2406577/Kinkladze-keen-on-Celtic-move.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He also joined [[Leeds United]] on trial, playing for the reserve team to earn a permanent contract,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/3396783.stm |title=Kinkladze on show for Leeds |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=BBC |date=15 January 2004 |archive-date=21 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040421090158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/3396783.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> however after he reportedly turned up late to training sessions, then manager [[Eddie Gray (footballer, born 1948)|Eddie Gray]] ended Kinkladze's trial spell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/2290217/kinkladze-leaves-leeds |title=Kinkladze on show for Leeds |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004809/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/2290217/kinkladze-leaves-leeds |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a consequence, he had to train individually and lost his place in the national team again, this time before the return match against Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?75439 |title=Four days before Russia – Georgia. Georgians are coming to play football |access-date=29 February 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205143948/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?75439 |archive-date= 5 December 2005 }}</ref> In December 2003, Kinkladze went for a one-week trial at [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]], following an invitation from [[Giannis Vardinogiannis]], the owner of the Greek club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/5/nl056985.html |title=Kinkladze is going on trial to Panathinaikos |access-date=1 March 2008 |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |archive-date=13 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031213052250/http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/5/nl056985.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, at the end of the trial, the club decided not to sign him. Six months later, he was linked with a move to Russian club [[FC Shinnik Yaroslavl|Shinnik Yaroslavl]], but again, he was not offered a contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spartak and Shinnik have a good chance to leave for Pyrenees |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2004-07-10/3_4/ |newspaper=Sport Express |language=ru |date=10 July 2004 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405194707/http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2004-07-10/3_4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2004, he had a trial with then [[English Premier League]] side [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], playing in a couple of reserve team fixtures for them. However, the Bolton manager [[Sam Allardyce]] decided against the move stating that he could not accommodate Kinkladze in the same team as [[Jay-Jay Okocha]].<ref>https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/giorgi-gets-another-chance-1103620, Giorgi gets another chance, Manchester Evening News, 13 August 2004</ref><ref>https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18313612.happened-bolton-wanderers-day-history/, What happened at Bolton Wanderers on this day in history?, The Bolton News, 18 March 2020</ref>

===Anorthosis===
Kinkladze's year and a half spell without a club came to an end in October 2004. Kinkladze's former international teammate [[Temuri Ketsbaia]] was player-manager at financially troubled Cypriot team [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis]]. Ketsbaia gave his old friend a chance to rebuild his career, offering him a contract to play for Anorthosis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brennan |first=Dan |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=8/newsid=383001.html |title=Kinkladze reborn at Rubin |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=6 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526162758/http://en.archive.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind%3D8/newsid%3D383001.html |archive-date=26 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Novitsky |first=Denis |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=247392.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709073611/http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=247392.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |title=Dinamo lead as Makharadze returns |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 October 2004 }}</ref> He made his debut against title contenders [[APOEL F.C.|APOEL]] on 21 November and marked it with a fine goal.<ref>Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p. 188.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Leonidou |first=John |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=266527.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711231729/http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=266527.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2012 |title=Neck and neck in Cyprus |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=8 December 2004 }}</ref> He scored once more in a 5–0 home victory against [[Olympiakos Nicosia]],<ref name="rsssf_cyprus0405">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cyp05.html |title=The RSSSF Archive – Domestic Results – Cyprus 2004/05 |access-date=14 March 2008 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=21 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321004449/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/cyp05.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and in February he was recalled to Georgia's squad for the friendly against [[Lithuania national football team|Lithuania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=278081.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721074047/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=278081.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 July 2012 |title=Voronin injury could upset Ukraine |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=7 February 2005 }}</ref> His contract was initially only for one season, but the club extended it for another year. Anorthosis ended the season successfully by winning the [[Cypriot First Division|Cypriot championship]] and earned a place in the qualifying rounds of [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League]], where, thanks to the club's good run, Kinkladze played five times. He started both legs of a 2–1 first round aggregate win against [[FC Dinamo Minsk|Dinamo Minsk]], was twice a substitute in a 3–2 second round aggregate win against [[Süper Lig]] runners-up [[Trabzonspor]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Leonidou|first=John |title=Anorthosis savour famous victory |work=[[Cyprus Mail]]|date=4 August 2005 }}</ref> and played the full 90 minutes in a 1–2 third round home defeat against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2005/round=2200/match=81606/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710120533/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2005/round=2200/match=81606/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Ricksen gives Rangers the edge |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=9 August 2005 }}</ref> His display against Rangers caught the attention of [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]’s manager [[Gurban Berdiýew]], who invited him to join the Russian club.<ref name="UEFA"/> On 22 August 2005, Kinkladze played his last game for Anorthosis against [[AC Omonia|Omonia]] in the [[Cypriot Super Cup]] and two days later, on the day of the second leg of the tie against Rangers, he left to close a deal with Rubin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/9/nl097986.html |title=Omonia is a Cypriot Super Cup holder |access-date=12 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |archive-date=20 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051120030832/http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/9/nl097986.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ketsbaia said regarding the departure: "I don't want players who have no wish to play for Anorthosis. As far as I'm concerned the Kinkladze chapter is now closed."<ref>{{cite news|last=Baillie|first=Michael |title=Cypriots want win for crash victims |work=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=24 August 2005 }}</ref>

===Rubin Kazan===
Anorthosis and Rubin reached an agreement on 26 August. Kinkladze signed a contract until the end of the season, becoming the most decorated Georgian footballer to play in the [[Russian Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?108580 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032758/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?108580 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Russian championship (Premier League). News. Kazan |access-date=20 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref><ref name="leaving-Rubin">{{cite web|url=http://sport-express.ru/art.shtml?131455 |title=Kinkladze is leaving Rubin |access-date=20 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127202543/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?131455 |archive-date=27 January 2007 }}</ref> He made his debut for Rubin the next day, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–2 defeat against [[FC Rostov]].<ref name="rfpl2005">{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/gamelog?id=7742&season=2006&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103040412/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/gamelog?id=7742&season=2006&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=Georgi Kinkladze |access-date=20 September 2010 |publisher=[[ESPN]] }}</ref> On a personal level the debut was a successful one; his [[corner kick]] was headed into the net by [[Vitalijs Astafjevs]] for Rubin's goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/197504 |title=Rostov – Rubin. Match statistics |access-date=20 March 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092315/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/197504 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He had less remarkable performances in the next two games and was substituted both times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/198849 |title=Dynamo – Rubin. Match statistics |access-date=20 March 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092458/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/198849 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Berdyev-press-conf">{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/199506 |title=The 'set piece' victory |access-date=20 March 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092516/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/199506 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This did not affect Berdyev's faith in him, and at a post-match press conference he defended Kinkladze: "He needs time. He is an experienced player who, I think, will help the team."<ref name="Berdyev-press-conf"/> The next game for Rubin was a 5–1 away win against low-ranked [[FC Terek Grozny|Terek Grozny]], and Kinkladze made a considerable contribution to it, scoring two goals and making two assists.<ref name="SE_1-5">{{cite web|url=http://sport-express.ru/art.shtml?110097 |title=Rubin knocked down Terek |access-date=21 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113192033/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?110097 |archive-date=13 January 2006 }}</ref> Against [[FC Tom Tomsk|Tom Tomsk]], he was less successful. Kinkladze missed a late penalty, denying Rubin a vital victory. After the match Berdyev claimed he made a mistake in his choice of penalty taker.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/200821 |title=Rubin – Tom. Match statistics |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092614/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/200821 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Despite his misgivings Berdyev kept Kinkladze in the team, where he was used as one of three offensive midfielders in a [[Formation (association football)#4–2–3–1|4–2–3–1]] formation.<ref name="order">{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117135 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113210348/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117135 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2013 |title=Rubin: order and progress |access-date=27 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref> Kinkladze, with his technical style and inclination for improvisation, brought more variety to the attacking play of the team, in contrast to the restrained style of play that Berdyev favoured.<ref name="order"/> He provided an assist in four consecutive matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111130 |title=Kazan intrigued till the end |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113193304/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111130 |archive-date=13 January 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111487 |title=It was shown to Krylia that it's bad to sleep on the pitch |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113194212/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111487 |archive-date=13 January 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111851 |title=Zenit's new guiding line: Intertoto Cup instead of Champions League |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624222718/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?111851 |archive-date=24 June 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?112150 |title=Beautiful football for beautiful city |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113195234/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?112150 |archive-date=13 January 2006 }}</ref> The most important of these was against [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit St. Petersburg]], in a match that decided a place in the following year's [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]. Subsequently, he received a recall to the Georgian national squad for friendlies against [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] and [[Jordan national football team|Jordan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kotoreishvili|first=Soso|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=360460.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714140319/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=360460.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2012|title=Georgia comeback for Kinkladze|access-date=5 January 2011|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=31 October 2005}}</ref> However, a muscle strain meant he missed both national team games and Rubin's final league match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?112572 |title=Iskhakov will become the director of Rubin today |access-date=23 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104021553/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?112572 |archive-date= 4 January 2006 }}</ref> He ended the 2005 season with seven assists and two goals in nine appearances for Rubin.<ref name="UEFA"/>

Rubin delayed in offering Kinkladze a contract extension, leading Anorthosis to make an attempt to re-sign him early in the pre-season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/206060 |title=Is Kinkladze going back to Cyprus? |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092640/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/206060 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but Kinkladze rejected the offer as he wished to stay at Rubin. By late December, Rubin expressed a desire to retain him but contract talks were delayed due to family reasons,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/209491 |title=Kurban Berdyev: We are in talks with Brazilian, Argentine and Serb |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092654/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/209491 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and it took until mid-January for a new one-year contract to be agreed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=384820.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709111006/http://en.archive.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=384820.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |title=Ono makes Feyenoord farewell |access-date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=13 January 2006 }}</ref>

During his successful 2005 season, 32-year-old Kinkladze said he hoped to play on well into his thirties.<ref name="UEFA"/> The 2006 season, however, was his last. He sustained an injury in Rubin's first competitive match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117887 |title=Bazaev punishes wasteful Shinnik |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527020521/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117887 |archive-date=27 May 2006 }}</ref> a 1–0 cup match defeat against [[FC Shinnik Yaroslavl|Shinnik]] which proved to be the last time he played a full match.<ref name="rfpl2006">{{cite web |url=http://rfpl.org/player/id2751?champ=1&cup=1&euro=1&double=0&year=2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415203610/http://rfpl.org/player/id2751?champ=1&cup=1&euro=1&double=0&year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2013 |title=Georgi Kinkladze – Rubin |publisher=Russian Premier League |access-date=5 January 2011 |language=ru }}</ref> A recurrence of an old injury meant he was sidelined for longer than expected,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?119687 |title=Russian Cup. Quarter-final. Second leg. CSKA-Rubin today |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421022520/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?119687 |archive-date=21 April 2006 }}</ref> only making his return to full training in late May.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/224874 |title=Rubin returned from leave |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092726/http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/224874 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Kinkladze continued to struggle to maintain fitness,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?125715 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032832/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?125715 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Ragged Rubin look towards Europe with the hope |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref> making five further appearances for Rubin, two of which were starts.<ref name="rfpl2006"/> A match against Rostov on 20 August 2006 was the last of Kinkladze's playing career.<ref name="rfpl2006"/> In September, he was called to the Georgia national team<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/234194 |title=Kaladze to miss Georgia match |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928120440/http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/234194 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but did not play or appear on the substitutes' bench.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/235038 |title=How expatriate footballers in Russia played for their national teams |date=5 September 2006 |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928120459/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/235038 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/235441 |title=How expatriate footballers in Russia played for their national teams |date=9 September 2006 |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928120552/http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/235441 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A short time later he had to undergo another course of medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?127917 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911012110/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?127917 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2012 |title=Russian Premier League. Kazan |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref> He also passed a thorough medical examination, the results of which were reported as the deciding factor for his future at the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?128112 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914000150/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?128112 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2012 |title=Thirty Rubin supporters from Kazan will come to Italy |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref> In October, he was an unused substitute just once; he and his compatriots were the subject of criticism from Rubin's general director who announced to the press "there are questions about the Georgians in the team regarding their training and attitude to football".<ref>{{cite web |language=ru |url=http://www.rubin-kazan.ru/press-conferences/1b19f4235ee947488f781a86c9c9a3f5.html |title=Rubin's chairman, manager and general director press conference |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=FC Rubin Kazan official website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031041142/http://www.rubin-kazan.ru/press-conferences/1b19f4235ee947488f781a86c9c9a3f5.html |archive-date=31 October 2007}}</ref> In November, Kinkladze again suffered an injury and missed the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?130028 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032834/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?130028 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Football. Russian championship. Kazan |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru }}</ref>

After a disappointing year for Kinkladze, Rubin decided not to renew his contract.<ref name="leaving-Rubin"/> In January 2007, he held talks with his previous club, Anorthosis, but the transfer never materialised.<ref>{{cite web|language=ru |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?135543 |title=Total transfer table |access-date=3 February 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319232408/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?135543 |archive-date=19 March 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/244808 |title=Premier League. Transfer table 2006-2007 |access-date=6 April 2008 |publisher=Sovetsky Sport |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213185659/http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/244808 |archive-date=13 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview in August 2007 Kinkladze's former international teammate [[Malkhaz Asatiani]] confirmed that Kinkladze had finished his career and settled in [[Moscow]].<ref>{{cite web |language=ru |url=http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?145241 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526032844/http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?145241 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Malkhaz Asatiani: I wanted to leave Lokomotiv |access-date=3 February 2008 |publisher=Sport Express }}</ref> Kinkladze later worked as a [[sports agent]], and in August 2011 returned to his former club Anorthosis, where he was employed as sports director until an amicable departure in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=24385 |title=Giorgi Kinkladze Is a Sports Director of "Anorthosis" |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=3 August 2012 |publisher=World Sports Georgia |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122839/http://www.worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=24385 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=24385 |title=Kinkladze and "Anorthosis" Broke up Friendly |date=10 June 2012 |access-date=3 August 2012 |publisher=World Sports Georgia |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122839/http://www.worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=24385 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kinkladze participated in Rangers Weekend of Legends II on 26 March 2023

===International career===
[[File:KinkGeo.jpg|thumb|right|Kinkladze for Georgia 1994]]
In September 1994, Kinkladze was called up to the Georgian national team for a match against Moldova in Tbilisi. His performance sparked interest from Italian clubs, and the press dubbed him the "Black Sea Rivera." However, at the time, there were no concrete offers from any club. That changed when Manchester City director Francis Lee saw footage of Kinkladze playing and began negotiations to bring him to the club. He contacted Merab Jordania and proposed Kinkladze's transfer to City. Although the deal didn’t materialize immediately, the English club secured the right of first refusal should Kinkladze be sold.

Just two months later, Kinkladze played two unforgettable matches against Wales. He scored his first international goal in a 5–0 victory at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi. In the return match at Cardiff Arms Park, several club scouts witnessed Kinkladze score from 18 meters past Neville Southall. In his final season at Dinamo Tbilisi, the club achieved another domestic double. Kinkladze scored 14 goals in 21 matches, drawing attention from several European clubs. Jordania honored the agreement with Lee, and on July 15, 1995, Kinkladze signed with Manchester City as Alan Ball's first signing for a transfer fee of £2 million. After initial challenges with obtaining a work visa, Kinkladze made his debut for City on August 19, 1995, in a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur.

On October 11, 1995, during a UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium, Kinkladze scored from the penalty spot in a 2–0 win over Bulgaria.

On June 7, 1997, in a 1998 World Cup qualifier held at Batumi Central Stadium, Kinkladze scored the second goal in a 2–0 win against Moldova.

Kinkladze scored his third international goal on October 7, 2000, in a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. The match was played in Kaunas at the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium, and Georgia won 4–0.

==Style of play==
Kinkladze's position was as a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] [[midfielder]], typically playing further forward than the rest of the midfield. The main aim of the role is to create goalscoring chances, suiting a creative player like Kinkladze. [[Dribbling]] ability was generally viewed as one of Kinkladze's strongest attributes,<ref name="manevnews">{{cite news|title=The modern great – Georgi Kinkladze |first=Chris |last=Bailey |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/48/48207_the_modern_great__georgi_kinkladze.html |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=31 December 2002 |access-date=5 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215183633/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/48/48207_the_modern_great__georgi_kinkladze.html |archive-date=15 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/players/2706/ |title=Georgi Kinkladze |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=1 November 2001 |access-date=26 January 2008 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629112311/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/players/2706/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and his jinking runs with the ball resulted in some spectacular goals, most notably his "Goal of the Month" against Southampton. [[Set piece (football)|Set piece]] ability was another of Kinkladze's strengths; he regularly took corners and free kicks. He also took penalties; seven of his Manchester City goals were scored from the spot, though he stopped taking penalties for the club following two consecutive misses in the 1997–98 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lomas returns to pay City back with interest |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/lomas-returns-to-pay-city-back-with-interest-458153.html |work=[[Irish Independent]] |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Independent News & Media]] |date=26 January 1998 |access-date=27 November 2011 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214929/https://www.independent.ie/sport/lomas-returns-to-pay-city-back-with-interest-26199619.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Two of his nine goals for Georgia were also penalties.

Weaker points of Kinkladze's game were those related to defending. He was not noted for tackling, which sometimes caused frustration for his managers; Colin Todd remarked wistfully in 2001 that "Georgi has to understand that there is an art to tackling".<ref name="Kinkladze: The Perfect 10?, p165"/> Unwillingness to tackle and accusations of a lack of effort were also the source of Joe Royle's omission of Kinkladze from his Manchester City side.<ref name="rising157"/>

On occasions, Kinkladze played as a second striker, a role with less positional responsibility. Periods when Kinkladze was used in this way included Frank Clark's first months as Manchester City manager,<ref>Blue Moon Rising, p. 145.</ref> and alongside [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]] at Derby County.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burley makes revival points |first=John |last=Ashdown |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,-42186,00.html |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 April 2003 |access-date=26 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512064309/http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,-42186,00.html |archive-date=12 May 2008}}</ref> Though a left-footed player, he did not perform well when played as a left winger, and publicly expressed his distaste for playing in the position.<ref name="Guardiantricks"/>

Over the course of his career he was [[Georgian Footballer of the Year|Georgian Player of the Year]] twice, won the Club Player of the Year three times at English clubs, and has been described by a Russian football history as the brightest Georgian talent of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Players, coaches, referees: Reference-biographical dictionary |first=Aleksandr |last=Savin |publisher=Terra-Sport, Olimpiya Press |series=History of Football |year=2001 |location=Moscow |language=ru |isbn=5-93127-139-2 |page=266 }}</ref> In 2005, he placed third in a BBC poll to find Manchester City's all-time "cult hero".<ref>{{cite news |title=Man City's cult heroes |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/4316015.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2005 |access-date=5 May 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/4316015.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[FC Mretebi Tbilisi|Mretebi Tbilisi]]
|[[1990 Pirveli Liga|1990]]<ref name="nft">{{NFT|2558}}</ref>
|[[Pirveli Liga]]
|34||8||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||||||34||8
|-
|[[1991 Pirveli Liga|1991]]<ref name="nft"/>
|Pirveli Liga
|16||1||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||||||16||1
|-
|[[1991–92 Umaglesi Liga|1991–92]]<ref name="nft"/>
|[[Umaglesi Liga]]
|30||9||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||||||30||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!80!!18!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!80!!18
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]
|[[1992–93 Umaglesi Liga|1992–93]]<ref name="nft"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cis93.html|title=Commonwealth of Independent States Cup 1993|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213310/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/cis93.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Umaglesi Liga
|30||14||||||colspan="2"|–||4{{efn|Appearances in [[Commonwealth of Independent States Cup]]}}||1||||||34||15
|-
|[[1993–94 Umaglesi Liga|1993–94]]<ref name="nft"/><ref name="wf">{{cite web |title=Giorgi Kinkladze » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe47243/giorgi-kinkladze/club-matches/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref>
|Umaglesi Liga
|14||13||||||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=ucl|Appearances in [[Uefa Champions League]]}}||0||||||16||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!44!!27!!0!!0!!0!!0!!6!!1!!0!!0!!50!!28
|-
|[[1. FC Saarbrücken]]
|[[1993–94 2. Bundesliga|1993–94]]<ref name="wf"/>
|[[2. Bundesliga]]
|11||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||0
|-
|[[Boca Juniors]]
|[[1993–94 Argentine Primera División|1994]]<ref name="nft"/>
|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|3||0||||||colspan="2"|–||||||||||3||0
|-
|[[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]
|[[1994–95 Umaglesi Liga|1994–95]]<ref name="nft"/><ref name="wf"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cis95.html|title=Commonwealth of Independent States Cup 1995|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213351/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/cis95.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Umaglesi Liga
|21||14||||||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|Four appearances, two goals in [[UEFA Cup]]; five appearances, three goals in [[Commonwealth of Independent States Cup]]}}||5||||||30||19
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
|[[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]]<ref name="wf"/><ref>James, Manchester City – The Complete Record. pp. 458–463</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|37||4||4||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||44||5
|-
|[[1996–97 Football League|1996–97]]<ref name="wf"/><ref>James, Manchester City – The Complete Record. pp. 458–463</ref>
|[[Football League First Division]]
|39||12||3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||43||12
|-
|[[1997–98 Football League First Division|1997–98]]<ref name="wf"/><ref>James, Manchester City – The Complete Record. pp. 458–463</ref>
|Football League First Division
|30||4||2||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||34||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!106!!20!!9!!2!!6!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!121!!22
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|[[1998–99 Eredivisie|1998–99]]<ref name="wf"/>
|[[Eredivisie]]
|12||0||||||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=ucl}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]}}||0||15||0
|-
|[[1999–2000 Eredivisie|1999–2000]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|0||0||||||colspan="2"|–||||||||||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!12!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!15!!0
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
|[[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|4211|1999|name=Georgi Kinkladze|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
|Premier League
|17||1||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||18||1
|-
|[[2000–01 FA Premier League|2000–01]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|4211|2000|name=Georgi Kinkladze|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||1||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||27||1
|-
|[[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|4211|2001|name=Georgi Kinkladze|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||1||0||0||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||25||2
|-
|[[2002–03 Football League First Division|2002–03]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|4211|2002|name=Georgi Kinkladze|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
|Football League First Division
|28||4||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!93!!7!!3!!0!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!100!!8
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis Famagusta]]
|[[2004–05 Cypriot First Division|2004–05]]<ref name="nft"/>
|[[Cypriot First Division]]
|22||2||||||colspan="2"|–||0||0||||||22||2
|-
|[[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]<ref name="nft"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec200506det.html|title=UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2005/06 Details|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910053329/http://www.rsssf.com/ec/ec200506det.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Cypriot First Division
|0||0||||||colspan="2"|–||5||0||||||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!22!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!27!!2
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]
|[[2005 Russian Premier League|2005]]<ref name="rfpl2005"/>
|[[Russian Premier League]]
|9||2||||||colspan="2"|–||0||0||||||9||2
|-
|[[2006 Russian Premier League|2006]]<ref name="rfpl2006"/>
|Russian Premier League
|4||0||||||colspan="2"|–||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||||||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!13!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!14!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!405!!90!!12!!2!!10!!1!!23!!6!!1!!0!!451!!99
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals!!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Georgia national football team|Georgia]]
|1992||1||0||<ref name="int1992">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1992e2.html |title=1992 Matches – Europe |access-date=7 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=27 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127214207/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1992e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1993||0||0||<ref name="int1993">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1993e2.html |title=1993 Matches – Europe (April – June). |access-date=7 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=28 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028082609/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1993e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1994||10||1||<ref name="int1994">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1994e1.html |title=1994 Matches – Europe (January – June). |access-date=7 July 2011 |work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921152538/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1994e1.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1994ic1.html |title=1994 Matches – Intercontinental (January – April). |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118143803/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1994ic1.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1994ic2.html |title=1994 Matches – Intercontinental (May – August). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=13 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113074935/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1994ic2.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1994e2.html |title=1994 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=30 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630001422/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1994e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1995||5||2||<ref name="int1995">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1995e1.html |title=1995 Matches – Europe (January – March). |access-date=8 July 2011 |work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304203123/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1995e1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1995e2.html |title=1995 Matches – Europe (April – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=7 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907102710/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1995e2.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1995e3.html |title=1995 Matches – Europe (July – September). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303142951/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1995e3.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1995e3.html |title=1995 Matches – Europe (October – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303142951/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1995e3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1996||6||1||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996e2.html |title=1996 Matches – Europe (March – April). |access-date=8 July 2011 |work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=24 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024004713/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1996e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996e3.html |title=1996 Matches – Europe (July – September). |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=24 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024053917/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1996e3.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996e4.html |title=1996 Matches – Europe (October). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020120602/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1996e4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996ic5.html |title=1996 Matches – Intercontinental (October – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320191823/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1996ic5.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1997||6||2||<ref name="rsssf97_2">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1997e2.html |title=1997 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=24 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024060012/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1997e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="int1997">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1997e1.html |title=1997 Matches – Europe (January – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020103053/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1997e1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1998||8||1||<ref name="int1998">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1998e1.html |title=1998 Matches – Europe (January – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=30 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330094330/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1998e1.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1998ic.html |title=1998 Matches Intercontinental. |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607065026/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1998ic.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1998e2.html |title=1998 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004213716/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1998e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1999||1||0||<ref name="int1999">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1999e1.html |title=1999 Matches – Europe (January – September). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017035908/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1999e1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2000||5||2||<ref name="int2000">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2000e1.html |title=2000 Matches – Europe (January – March). |access-date=8 July 2011 |work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726111304/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2000e1.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2000e2.html |title=2000 Matches – Europe (April – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401085856/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2000e2.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2000e4.html |title=2000 Matches – Europe (October – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029204132/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2000e4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2001||6||0||<ref name="int2001">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2001e1.html |title=2001 Matches – Europe (January – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=13 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313054331/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2001e1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2001e2.html |title=2001 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=21 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321180831/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2001e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2002||3||0||<ref name="int2002">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2002e2.html |title=2002 Matches – Europe (April – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=24 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024004544/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2002e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2002e3.html |title=2002 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=23 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223130431/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2002e3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2003||2||0||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2003e1.html |title=2003 Matches – Europe (January – June). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224040322/http://rsssf.com/intldetails/2003e1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2003e2.html |title=2003 Matches – Europe (July – December). |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=30 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030002413/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2003e2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2004||3||0||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2004e.html |title=2004 Matches – Europe |access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109212649/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2004e.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2005||1||0||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/cronica?id=174178 |title=Georgia 1–0 Lithuania |date=9 February 2005 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928184847/http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/futbol/cronica?id=174178 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!57!!9!!–
|}

:''Scores and results list Georgia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kinkladze goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Georgi Kinkladze
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| align="center"|1 || 16 November 1994 || [[Dinamo Arena|Boris Paichadze Stadium]], [[Tbilisi]], Georgia || {{fb|WAL}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|5–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 7|UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying]] || <ref>{{cite web | url = http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecGEO_v_WAL | title = European Championship 1996 – Qualifiers – Georgia v Wales | publisher = Scoreshelf | access-date = 20 September 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215200/http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecGEO_v_WAL | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|2 || 7 June 1995 || [[Cardiff Arms Park]], [[Cardiff]], Wales || {{fb|WAL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying || <ref>{{cite web | url = http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecWAL_v_GEO | title = European Championship 1996 – Qualifiers – Georgia v Wales | publisher = Scoreshelf | access-date = 20 September 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224338/http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecWAL_v_GEO | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|3 || 11 October 1995 || Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia || {{fb|BUL}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 || UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying || <ref>{{cite web | url = http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecGEO_v_BGR | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171207/http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/1996uecGEO_v_BGR | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | title = European Championship 1996 – Qualifiers – Georgia v Bulgaria | publisher = Scoreshelf | access-date = 20 September 2010 }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|4 || 29 March 1997 || Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia || {{fb|ARM}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|7–0 || Friendly || <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1997e1.html | title = 1997 Matches – Europe (January – June) | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | access-date = 20 September 2010 | archive-date = 20 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020103053/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1997e1.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|5 || 7 June 1997 || [[Tsentral Stadium (Batumi)|Tsentral Stadium]], [[Batumi]], Georgia || {{fb|MDA}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)#Group 2|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || <ref>{{cite web | url = http://scoreshelf.com/gjbb/en/Georgia/1998fwcGEO_v_MDA | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151214230151/http://scoreshelf.com/gjbb/en/Georgia/1998fwcGEO_v_MDA | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 December 2015 | title = World Cup 1998 – Qualifiers – Georgia v Moldova | publisher = Scoreshelf | access-date = 20 September 2010 }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|6 || 2 May 1998 || [[Stade Olympique de Sousse]], [[Sousse]], Tunisia || {{fb|TUN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly || <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1998ic.html | title = 1998 Matches – Intercontinental | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | access-date = 26 November 2011 | archive-date = 7 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130607065026/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1998ic.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|7 || 29 March 2000 || [[Sala Stadium]], [[Ashkelon]], Israel || {{fb|ISR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly || <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2000e1.html | title = 2000 Matches – Europe (January – March) | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation | access-date = 20 September 2010 | archive-date = 26 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180726111304/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/2000e1.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
|-
| align="center"|8 || 7 October 2000 || [[Darius and Girėnas Stadium|S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium]], [[Kaunas]], Lithuania || {{fb|LTU}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || <ref>{{cite web | url = http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/2002fwcLTU_v_GEO | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160225011131/http://scoreshelf.com/gjlb/en/Georgia/2002fwcLTU_v_GEO | url-status = dead | archive-date = 25 February 2016 | title = World Cup 2002 – Qualifiers – Georgia v Lithuania | publisher = Scoreshelf | access-date = 20 September 2010 }}</ref>
|}

==Honours==

===Dinamo Tbilisi===
*[[Umaglesi Liga]]: [[1992–93 Umaglesi Liga|1993]], [[1993–94 Umaglesi Liga|1994]], [[1994–95 Umaglesi Liga|1995]]<ref name=Dinamo>{{cite web|url=https://fcdinamo.ge/en/news?n=102373&i=268|title=Giorgi Kinkladze - 45|date=6 July 2018|publisher=[[FC Dinamo Tbilisi]]|website=fcdinamo.ge}}</ref>

*[[Georgian Cup]]: [[1992–93 Georgian Cup|1993]], [[1994–95 Georgian Cup|1995]]<ref name=Dinamo />

===Individual===
*[[Georgian Footballer of the Year]]: 1993, 1996<ref name=Dinamo />
*[[List of Manchester City F.C. players#Player of the Year awards|Manchester City Player of the Season]]: [[1995–96 Manchester City F.C. season|1996]], [[1996–97 Manchester City F.C. season|1997]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/mancitylegends/kinkladze-georgi|title=GEORGI KINKLADZE|publisher=[[Manchester City F.C.]]|website=mancity.com}}</ref>
*[[Derby County F.C. Player of the Year]]: [[2002–03 Derby County F.C. season|2003]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2021/02/ramstv-meets-georgi-kinkladze|title=RAMSTV MEETS: GEORGI KINKLADZE|author=Gibson, Colin|date=21 February 2021|publisher=[[Derby County F.C.]]|website=dcfc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2020/07/matt-clarke-crowned-201920-jack-stamps-player-of-the-season|title=MATT CLARKE CROWNED 2019/20 JACK STAMPS PLAYER OF THE SEASON|date=13 July 2020|publisher=[[Derby County F.C.]]|website=dcfc.co.uk}}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year|PFA First Division Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)|1997]], [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)|1998]]
*[[BBC Goal of the Month]]: March 1996,<ref name="Complete Record"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://backpagefootball.com/moments-of-magic-10/1928/|title=Moments of Magic #10 – Georgi Kinkladze|date=1 October 2009|author=Sherwin, Neil|publisher=Back Page Football|website=backpagefootball.com}}</ref> January 1998<ref name="Complete Record"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DavidMooney/status/1253301993361354752|title=24. Georgi Kinkladze was the last player to win the BBC's goal of the month competition while playing outside of the Premier League (winning in January 1998 for his goal in City's loss to West Ham in the FA Cup fourth round). He's only one of five players to achieve that feat.|author=David Mooney|date=23 April 2020|publisher=[[Twitter]]|website=twitter.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{1996–97 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1997–98 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Georgian Footballer of the Year}}
{{Manchester City F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Derby County F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kinkladze, Georgi}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Tbilisi]]
[[Category:Men's footballers from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Soviet men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo Tbilisi players]]
[[Category:1. FC Saarbrücken players]]
[[Category:Boca Juniors footballers]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax players]]
[[Category:Derby County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Anorthosis Famagusta FC players]]
[[Category:FC Rubin Kazan players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:2. Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Russian Premier League players]]
[[Category:Cypriot First Division players]]
[[Category:Argentine Primera División players]]
[[Category:Georgia (country) men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Argentina]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Russia]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia]]