View source for Kakha Kaladze

{{Short description|Georgian footballer and politician (born 1978)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Kakha Kaladze
| native_name         = {{nobold|კახა კალაძე}}
| image               = Kakha_Kaladze_2021.png
| office              = 10th [[Mayor of Tbilisi]]
| term_start          = 13 November 2017
| term_end            = 
| president           = {{Ubl
 | [[Giorgi Margvelashvili]]
 | [[Salome Zourabichvili]]
 | [[Mikheil Kavelashvili]]
 }}
| primeminister       = {{Ubl
 | [[Giorgi Kvirikashvili]]
 | [[Mamuka Bakhtadze]]
 | [[Giorgi Gakharia]]
 | [[Maya Tskitishvili]] (acting)
 | [[Irakli Garibashvili]]
 | [[Irakli Kobakhidze]]
 }}
| predecessor         = [[Davit Narmania]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = [[Ministry of Energy of Georgia|Minister of Energy of Georgia]]
| primeminister2      = [[Giorgi Kvirikashvili]]
| term_start2         = 26 November 2016
| term_end2           = 10 July 2017
| predecessor2        = [[Ilia Eloshvili]]
| successor2          = [[Ilia Eloshvili]]
| office5             = 
| term_start5         = 25 October 2012
| term_end5           = 9 September 2016
| predecessor5        = [[Vakhtang Balavadze (politician)|Vakhtang Balavadze]]
| successor5          = [[Ilia Eloshvili]]
| primeminister5      = [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]]<br />[[Irakli Garibashvili]]<br />[[Giorgi Kvirikashvili]]
| office6             = [[Vice Prime Minister of Georgia|Deputy
Prime Minister of Georgia]]
| term_start6         = 25 October 2012
| term_end6           = 12 July 2017
| primeminister6      = [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]]<br />[[Irakli Garibashvili]]<br />[[Giorgi Kvirikashvili]]
| predecessor6        = [[Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili]]
| successor6          = [[Mikheil Janelidze]]
| office7             = Secretary General of [[Georgian Dream]]
| term_start7         = 24 November 2013 
| term_end7           = 

| birth_name          = Kakhaber Kaladze<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/527313.pdf |title=UCL Booking List 2006/2007 |page=2 |publisher=UEFA |date=12 April 2007 |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1978|2|27|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Samtredia]], Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
| party               = [[Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia|Georgian Dream]] (2012–present)
| height              = {{height|meter=1.86}}<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile" />
| alma_mater          = [[Tbilisi State University]]
| occupation          = {{hlist|[[Association football|Footballer]] (retired)|[[Politician]]}}
| signature           = Kaladze signature (vect).svg
| signature_alt       = 
| module              = {{Infobox football biography | embed = yes | header-color = lavender
| position       = [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|Centre-back]], [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|left-back]]
| years1         = 1993–1998 |clubs1 = [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]] |caps1 = 82  |goals1 = 1
| years2         = 1998–2001 |clubs2 = [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]]       |caps2 = 71  |goals2 = 6
| years3         = 1998–2000 |clubs3 = → [[FC Dynamo-2 Kyiv|Dynamo-2 Kyiv]] |caps3 = 9   |goals3 = 1
| years4         = 2001–2010 |clubs4 = [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]                 |caps4 = 194 |goals4 = 12
| years5         = 2010–2012 |clubs5 = [[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]]               |caps5 = 53  |goals5 = 1
| totalcaps      = 409 | totalgoals = 21
| nationalyears1 = 1993–1994
| nationalyears2 = 1995
| nationalyears3 = 1995–1996
| nationalyears4 = 1996–2011
| nationalteam1  = [[Georgia national under-17 football team|Georgia U17]]
| nationalteam2  = [[Georgia national under-19 football team|Georgia U19]]
| nationalteam3  = [[Georgia national under-21 football team|Georgia U21]]
| nationalteam4  = [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]]
| nationalcaps1  = 2  | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalcaps2  = 4  | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalcaps3  = 3  | nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalcaps4  = 83 | nationalgoals4 = 1
}}
| parents             = Karlo Kaladze<br />Medeya Kaladze
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Anouki Areshidze]]|2013}}
| children            = {{hlist|Levan|Kakhaber Jr.|Vache|Nikola}}
| native_name_lang    = ka
| caption             = Kaladze in 2021
}}
'''Kakhaber "Kakha" Kaladze''' ({{lang-ka|კახაბერ "კახა" კალაძე}}, {{IPA|ka|kʼaχabeɾ kʼaɫadzɛ|pron}}; born 27 February 1978) is a [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] politician and former [[Association football|footballer]] who has served as the [[Mayor of Tbilisi]] since November 2017. A versatile player, he was capable of playing as both a [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|centre-back]] and [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|left-back]],<ref name="AC Milan Pen Pics">{{cite news |last=May |first=John |title=AC Milan Pen Pics |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6658701.stm |work=BBC Sport|access-date=7 January 2013 |date=22 May 2007|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024214852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6658701.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> or even as a [[Midfielder#Winger|wide midfielder]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/champions-league-final-how-the-old-trafford-teams-shape-up-591267.html |title=Champions' League final: How the old trafford teams shape up |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 May 2003|access-date=6 March 2017|archive-date=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307050334/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/champions-league-final-how-the-old-trafford-teams-shape-up-591267.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He played for the [[Georgia national football team|Georgia national team]] from 1996 to 2011. He was voted [[Georgian Footballer of the Year]] in 2001–2003, 2006<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/2006-06-09/141288|script-title=ru:Каладзе в четвертый раз признан лучшим футболистом Грузии |publisher=Sport-express.ru |language=ru |date=9 June 2006|access-date=28 June 2009|archive-date=7 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807212606/http://news.sport-express.ru/2006-06-09/141288|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2011 and was considered one of Georgia's most important players.<ref name="Goal Project" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2319225.stm |title=Georgia clashes with Russia – in football |work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2002|access-date=18 August 2009|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203091731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2319225.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kaladze started his football career in 1993 at [[Umaglesi Liga]] club [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]] and made 82 appearances in a five-year spell. In 1998, he moved to the [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] club [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]] and made 71 appearances until 2001, when he was signed by the Italian [[Serie A]] club [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]. He has won one Serie A, three [[Ukrainian Premier League]] and five Umaglesi Liga titles. With Milan, he won the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] on two occasions, the [[UEFA Super Cup]] once and the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] once. After captaining his country 50 times in 84 appearances, Kaladze announced his retirement from the Georgian national team on 11 December 2011.<ref name="civil24258">{{cite web |url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24258 |title=Ivanishvili Launches Public Movement |website=[[Civil Georgia]] |date=11 December 2011|access-date=17 December 2011|archive-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103212458/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24258|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1732967.html |title=Georgia captain Kaladze announces retirement |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=12 December 2011|access-date=17 December 2011|archive-date=10 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110211637/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1732967.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Born in [[Samtredia]], a town in the [[Imereti]] region, Kaladze comes from a footballing family as his father played for [[FC Samtredia|Lokomotiv Samtredia]] and was also president of the team for some time. His brother was kidnapped in a high-profile case in 2001 and officially declared dead in 2006, resulting in two men being sentenced to [[prison]] for a combined total of 30 years. Outside of football, he owns a company called Kala Capital and an organisation called Kala Foundation, as well as being an ambassador for [[SOS Children's Villages]]. He is married to Anouki Areshidze, with whom he has four children.

Kaladze became involved in the politics of Georgia as a member of the opposition [[Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia]] party, founded by [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]] in February 2012. He was elected to the [[Parliament of Georgia]] on 1 October 2012 and approved as Deputy Prime Minister as well as [[Ministry of Energy (Georgia)|Minister of Energy]] in [[cabinet of Bidzina Ivanishvili|Ivanishvili's cabinet]] on 25 October 2012.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=Ivanishvili Confirmed as Prime Minister |url=http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25389|access-date=25 October 2012 |newspaper=Civil Georgia |date=25 October 2012|archive-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725134615/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25389|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued to occupy both of these position under the [[Second Cabinet of Giorgi Kvirikashvili|succeeding cabinet]] of [[Giorgi Kvirikashvili]] until July 2017, when he resigned to run for the [[Mayor of Tbilisi]] as a Georgian Dream candidate in the October 2017 [[2017 Georgian local elections|election]],<ref name="civ30257">{{cite news |title=New Energy Minister, Deputy PM Appointed |url=http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30257|access-date=26 August 2017 |work=Civil Georgia |date=12 July 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826153055/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30257|url-status=live}}</ref> which he won with 51.13%. In 2021, he was reelected as the Mayor of Tbilisi, gaining 55.61% of the vote in the second round of the [[2021 Georgian local elections|election]].

== Club career ==

=== Early career ===
Kaladze started his career playing as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] for his local club [[FC Samtredia|Lokomotiv Samtredia]], where his father was president, until former Georgia international footballer [[David Kipiani]] requested Kakha to join [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]].<ref name="World Soccer" /> At Dinamo, he played in 82 domestic league games and scored one goal.<ref name="Eurosport profile">{{cite news |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/kakha-kaladze.html |title=Eurosport – Kakha Kaladze |publisher=Eurosport|access-date=28 June 2009|archive-date=7 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907175645/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/kakha-kaladze.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his top-flight debut as a 16-year-old with Dinamo during the [[1993–94 Umaglesi Liga|1993–94 campaign]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}<ref name="Captain Kaladze looks to lift the gloom" /> Kaladze claims that a good performance against [[Italy national football team|Italy]] while playing for Georgia in a match that ended 0–0 brought him to the attention of [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]]; he later said, "In that game I was up against [[Christian Vieri]] and I [[Man-to-man marking|marked]] him well."<ref name="World Soccer" />

A fee equivalent to €280,000 was enough to take him to the [[Ukrainian Premier League]] and Dynamo Kyiv in January 1998,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://stats.sports.theglobeandmail.com/seri/players.asp?player=16975 |title=No.4 Kakhaber Kaladze |newspaper=Globe and Mail|access-date=12 August 2009}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> where he signed a four-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1134373.stm |title=AC Milan sign Kaladze |work=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2001|access-date=18 August 2009|archive-date=27 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227143149/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1134373.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Here he scored six goals in 71 league games over the two-and-a-half seasons he spent there.<ref name="Eurosport profile" /> The Ukrainian club had been under the ownership of [[Hryhoriy Surkis]] and the late [[Valeriy Lobanovskyi]] had just been installed as [[Coach (sport)|manager]]; they would go on to win eight consecutive league titles.<ref name="FC Dynamo Kyiv – 1992-2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua/en/history/period5/5330.html |title=FC Dynamo Kyiv – 1992–2006 |publisher=FC Dynamo Kyiv|access-date=18 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505070827/http://www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua/en/history/period5/5330.html|archive-date=5 May 2008}}</ref> Kaladze also appeared in [[Two-legged tie|both legs]] of the semi-final of the [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1998–99 Champions League]] against [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], which Dynamo Kyiv lost 4–3 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-jancker-seals-bayern-comeback-1085908.html |title=Jancker seals Bayern comeback |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 April 2009|access-date=8 August 2009 |author=Yuri Kozak |location=London|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104013517/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-jancker-seals-bayern-comeback-1085908.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-baslers-wonder-goal-takes-bayern-to-barcelona-1088886.html |title=Basler's wonder goal takes Bayern to Barcelona |newspaper=The Independent |date=22 April 2009|access-date=8 August 2009 |author=Andrew Warshaw |location=London|archive-date=27 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027050741/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-baslers-wonder-goal-takes-bayern-to-barcelona-1088886.html|url-status=live}}</ref> En route to the semi-finals, they beat teams like [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref name="FC Dynamo Kyiv – 1992-2006" /> He won eight league titles in a row during his time at both Dinamo Tbilisi and Dynamo Kyiv.<ref name="Kaladze fighting his grief">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/apr/16/championsleague |title=Kaladze fighting his grief in Milan defence |newspaper=The Observer |author=Amy Lawrence |date=16 April 2006|access-date=29 June 2009 |location=London|archive-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922034602/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/apr/16/championsleague|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== A.C. Milan ===
On 10 February 1999, almost two years before his move to Milan would happen, Kaladze was part of the Dynamo Kyiv team that went to Italy for a mid-season friendly game against AC Milan, which at the time had been in the final stages of negotiations for the transfer of [[Andriy Shevchenko]]. As Dynamo won 2–1, it was Kaladze who scored the winner from a free kick with his left foot, which impressed the ''rossoneri'' management and put him onto the club's shortlist of potential signings for the team's defense.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbuDFccMPt0 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120153105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbuDFccMPt0 |date=20 November 2023 }} 3:52, the goal by Kaladze</ref>

In January 2001, Kaladze became the most expensive Georgian footballer in history when Milan paid €16 million to bring him to Italy.<ref name="Milan bank on Kaladze steel" /> His burning desire to join one of the European top teams coincided with witnessing his [[Aleksei Gerasimenko|teammate]]'s near career-ending injury.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fakty.ua/99485-kaha-kaladze-quot-shantazha-rukovodstva-quot-dinamo-quot-s-moej-storony-ne-bylo-prosto-ot-priglasheniya-v-quot-milan-quot-bylo-glupo-otkazyvatsya-quot |title=Каха каладзе: "шантажа руководства "динамо" с моей стороны не было. Просто от приглашения в | access-date=9 July 2019 | archive-date=9 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709060302/https://fakty.ua/99485-kaha-kaladze-quot-shantazha-rukovodstva-quot-dinamo-quot-s-moej-storony-ne-bylo-prosto-ot-priglasheniya-v-quot-milan-quot-bylo-glupo-otkazyvatsya-quot | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="World Soccer">{{cite news |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/kakha_kaladze_news_55742.html |title=World Soccer – Kakha Kaladze |publisher=World Soccer |date=2 September 2003|access-date=28 June 2009|archive-date=25 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925085908/http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/kakha_kaladze_news_55742.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Upon his arrival, Kaladze became a regular starter almost immediately, and played mostly as a left-sided defensive midfielder in 4–4–2 or 4–2–1–3 formations, particularly under caretaker coach [[Cesare Maldini]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.football-lineups.com/match/105997/ |title=Inter Milan vs AC Milan Serie a 2000/2001 | access-date=9 July 2019 | archive-date=18 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718071401/https://www.football-lineups.com/match/105997/ | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Captain Kaladze looks to lift the gloom" /> On 11 May 2001, Kaladze played from start to the final whistle in the historic 6–0 ''[[Derby della Madonnina]]'' victory for Milan over Inter, in which he assisted the fifth goal of the game scored by [[Andriy Shevchenko]]; Kaladze and Shevchenko, once teammates and regulars in the Dynamo Kyiv starting XI, celebrated the goal together as personally significant and gave each other a hug.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} However, on 17 June 2001, Kaladze opened the score in the eventual 2–1 away loss against [[LFA Reggio Calabria|Reggina]] yet refused to celebrate the goal as most of his thoughts were still with his brother, Levan, who had been kidnapped in Georgia just three weeks prior.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pvPv4pHYgU {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120172408/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pvPv4pHYgU |date=20 November 2023 }} 1:09</ref>

In the [[2002–03 Serie A|2002–03 season]], he returned to his original role of a defender (left-sided [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|full back]] and [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|center back]]), and made 46 appearances in all competitions, including 27 [[Serie A]] appearances.<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/archive/roster_player/42/15 |title=Kakha Kaladze – A.C. Milan profile |publisher=A.C. Milan|access-date=5 January 2012|archive-date=16 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616045959/http://www.acmilan.com/en/archive/roster_player/42/15|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.milannews.it/news/milan-ruoli-che-vanno-e-ruoli-che-vengono-343768 |title=Milan, ruoli che vanno e ruoli che vengono | access-date=28 August 2019 | archive-date=28 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828054654/https://www.milannews.it/news/milan-ruoli-che-vanno-e-ruoli-che-vengono-343768 | url-status=live}}</ref> That year, Milan won the [[UEFA Champions League 2002–03|Champions League]], where they beat [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalties]] in the [[2003 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] (despite Kaladze missing his penalty)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2934840.stm |title=Milan win Champions League shoot-out |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2003|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308060645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2934840.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Coppa Italia 2002–03|Coppa Italia]], where they beat [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] 6–3 on [[Two-legged tie|aggregate]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italcup03.html |title=Italy Cup 2002/03|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-date=6 October 2009 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006122440/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/italcup03.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After Kaladze's [[Double (association football)|double]] success, the Georgian postal service issued a special [[Postage stamp|stamp]] bearing the player's image.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3544115 |title=The World's Game (according to us) |publisher=ESPN |author=Austin Kelley|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102210650/http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3544115|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the first Georgian player to win a Champions League title.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SoccerAmerica/2003/sa1554z.pdf |title=Milan reigns again as European champion |magazine=Soccer America |author=Paul Kennedy|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614023121/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SoccerAmerica/2003/sa1554z.pdf|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="I've always dreamed of playing for a top club abroad, but I could have stayed at Kyiv, picked up an injury and it would all have been over for me. That's why I asked Dynamo president Hryhorii Surkis to put me on the transfer list."|source=<small>'''Kakha Kaladze''', upon leaving Dynamo Kyiv in relation to Gerasimenko's injury.<ref name="World Soccer" /></small>}}

Kaladze was limited to just six league appearances and 11 total appearances in the [[2003–04 Serie A|2003–04 season]].<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile" /> In the [[2004–05 Serie A|next season]], Kaladze played just 19 Serie A matches and five in the Champions League as Milan finished as runners-up in both competitions.<ref name="Eurosport profile" /> He was an unused [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in that season's [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]], where Milan lost on penalties to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] after a 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=183634&cc=5739 |title=Milan 3–3 Liverpool: Penalty drama |publisher=ESPN |date=25 May 2005|access-date=11 August 2009|archive-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525132229/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=183634&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was said to be frustrated with his lack of first-team options and a move to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], in exchange for [[Hernán Crespo]] or for £4 million,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4076340.stm |title=Kaladze ready for Chelsea talks |work=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2005|access-date=18 August 2009|archive-date=27 April 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427015336/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4076340.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> was widely reported.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article528279.ece |title=Chelsea may swap Crespo for Kaladze |work=Times Online |date=2 June 2005|access-date=11 August 2009 |location=London |first=Gabriele |last=Marcotti}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kaladze himself said, "I have agreed everything with the Chelsea management. Now it is necessary to wait for them to reach an agreement with Milan and I think I could become a Chelsea player next week."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/kaladze-happy-to-be-part-of-crespo-deal-with-chelsea-493493.html |title=Kaladze happy to be part of Crespo deal with Chelsea |newspaper=The Independent |author=Zaza Tsuladze |date=9 June 2005|access-date=11 August 2009 |location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012110036/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/kaladze-happy-to-be-part-of-crespo-deal-with-chelsea-493493.html|archive-date=12 October 2009}}</ref> Chelsea opted to sign [[Asier del Horno]] instead. On 30 June 2005, Kaladze extended his contract with Milan until 2010<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01aa-0ea7701894f4-d020ce26f2c4-1000--kaladze-very-happy-with-milan-deal/ |title=Kaladze 'very happy' with Milan deal |date=30 June 2005|access-date=4 July 2010 |publisher=[[UEFA]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005183047/http://www1.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid%3D313332.html|archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> and again on 4 September 2006, this time until 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:kaladze-stays-in-milan&catid=18&Itemid=100007 |title=Kaladze Stays in Milan |publisher=Geofootball.com |date=4 September 2006|access-date=13 August 2009 |author=Teimuraz Gogodze|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711084818/http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:kaladze-stays-in-milan&catid=18&Itemid=100007|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.acmilan.com/it/news/show/47701 |title=Georgiano e rossonero |date=29 May 2007|access-date=4 July 2010 |work=A.C. Milan |language=it|archive-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810010834/http://www.acmilan.com/it/news/show/47701|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2005–06 Serie A|2005–06]], an injury to [[Paolo Maldini]] meant that Kaladze was moved back into the centre of defence, his favoured position.<ref name="Kaladze fighting his grief" /> Milan finished third that season, although they would have finished second if there were no [[2006 Italian football scandal]] which resulted in a 30-point deduction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ital06.html |title=Italy 2005/06|access-date=11 August 2009|archive-date=25 August 2017 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825182945/http://rsssf.com/tablesi/ital06.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Kaladze (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Kaladze with Milan in 2007]]
In the [[2006–07 Serie A]] campaign, Kaladze scored a goal against [[U.C. Sampdoria|Sampdoria]] which turned out to be his only goal of the season. Milan finished in fourth place with an eight-point deduction relating to the previous season's scandal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ital07.html |title=Italy 2006/07|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-date=25 August 2017 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825183329/http://rsssf.com/tablesi/ital07.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaladze won his second Champions League title on 23 May 2007 after Milan beat Liverpool 2–1 in the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|final]]; he came on as a 79th-minute substitute in that match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6669039.stm |title=AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool |work=BBC Sport |author=Phil McNulty |date=23 May 2007|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=2 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302181325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6669039.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He later picked up the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] in December that year where Milan beat [[Boca Juniors]] 4–2 in the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|final]], though Kaladze was one of two players to be [[sent off]] in that match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7145975.stm |title=AC Milan 4–2 Boca Juniors |work=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2007|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=4 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104094359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7145975.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He had established himself as a first-team regular in the [[2007–08 Serie A|2007–08 season]], making 32 appearances,<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile" /> but had only featured sparingly in the [[2008–09 Serie A|2008–09 season]] due to a [[knee]] [[ligament]] injury sustained in a [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] match against [[FC Zürich|Zürich]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387:kaladze-faces-long-lay-off&catid=18&Itemid=100007 |title=Kaladze faces long lay-off |publisher=Geofootball.com |author=Sandro Gagua |date=3 October 2008|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211144610/http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387:kaladze-faces-long-lay-off&catid=18&Itemid=100007|archive-date=11 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Injuries have cost Milan">{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2009/03/18/1162235/injuries-have-cost-milan-the-scudetto--kaladze |title=Injuries Have Cost Milan The Scudetto – Kaladze |publisher=Goal.com |author=Salvatore Landolina |date=18 March 2009|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=4 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404085757/http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2009/03/18/1162235/injuries-have-cost-milan-the-scudetto--kaladze|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaladze's performance on 15 February 2009 [[Derby della Madonnina|Milan derby]] was described as a "horror show" on the [[Channel 4]] website which started a dispute over an alleged [[smear campaign]] between Kaladze and the Georgian newspaper ''Lelo'', who used the quote, "Milan really does need a new centre-back after Kakha Kaladze’s horror show in the derby."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/week24thatwas.html |title=What we learned this week |publisher=Channel 4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524173115/http://channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/week24thatwas.html|archive-date=24 May 2009 |author=Antonio Labbate|access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.geotimes.ge/index.php?m=home&newsid=15435 |title=I would not get into arguments with a journalist who criticized me |publisher=Georgian Times |author=Eka Bilanishvili |date=3 March 2009|access-date=8 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030045235/http://geotimes.ge/index.php?m=home&newsid=15435|archive-date=30 October 2010}}</ref> Milan finished third in the league that season, ten points behind Serie A champions [[Inter Milan]]; Kaladze believed this was caused by the many injuries suffered by the Milan squad.<ref name="Injuries have cost Milan" />

=== Genoa ===
On 31 August 2010, Kaladze signed with [[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preso Kaladze a titolo definitivo |url=http://www.genoacfc.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10410&Itemid=31 |work=genoacfc.it |publisher=[[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa Cricket and Football Club]] |date=31 August 2010 |access-date=31 August 2010 |language=it |archive-date=3 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903121916/http://www.genoacfc.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10410&Itemid=31 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Relazioni e bilancio al 31 Dicembre 2010 gruppo Milan |url=http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2010/pdf/Bilancio_Gruppo_Milan_10.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515220657/http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2010/pdf/Bilancio_Gruppo_Milan_10.pdf |archive-date=15 May 2012 |access-date=16 July 2011 |publisher=A.C. Milan}}</ref> In the [[2010–11 Serie A|2010–11 season]], he played 26 matches and scored one goal, which came against [[S.S.D. Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] on 30 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Genoa vs. Parma 3–1 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/01/30/italy/serie-a/genoa-cfc/parma-fc/990166/ |work=soccerway.com |publisher=Soccerway |date=30 January 2011 |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421121959/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/01/30/italy/serie-a/genoa-cfc/parma-fc/990166/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He was named as second-best defender of the 2010–11 Serie A by ''[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]'', being surpassed only by his former teammate, Milan's [[Thiago Silva]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kaladze Is in the Second Place among Serie A Defenders |url=http://worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=20911 |work=worldsport.ge |publisher=Worldsport |date=30 May 2011|access-date=3 June 2011|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402093231/http://worldsport.ge/Read.aspx?lang=2&news=20911|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 May 2012, Kaladze announced his retirement from football.<ref>{{cite news |title=Genoa's Kakha Kaladze announces retirement from football |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2012/05/12/3097741/genoas-kakha-kaladze-announces-retirement-from-football |work=Goal.com |publisher=Goal.com |date=12 May 2012|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-date=22 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222045802/http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2012/05/12/3097741/genoas-kakha-kaladze-announces-retirement-from-football|url-status=live}}</ref>

== International career ==
Kaladze won his first [[Cap (sport)|cap]] against [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]] in a [[Exhibition match|friendly match]] on 27 March 1996,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1996e2.html |title=1996 International matches|access-date=28 June 2009|archive-date=24 October 2008 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024004713/http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1996e2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for [[Mikhail Kavelashvili]].<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile">{{cite news |url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=10020 |title=Kakha Kaladze – profile |website=EU-Football.info|access-date=5 January 2012|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116202729/http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=10020|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, he was sent off for the first time in his international career against [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] in a friendly match.<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> With his team won [[Malta International Football Tournament]] 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=11048 |title=Georgia vs Latvia, 6 February 1998|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026223331/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=11048|url-status=live}}</ref> He subsequently featured in his country's qualifying campaigns for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2002]], [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2006]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2010 FIFA World Cups]], and the [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying|2000]], [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|2004]] and [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|2008 UEFA European Championships]]. Georgia had never qualified for the [[FIFA World Cup]] or the [[UEFA European Football Championship|UEFA European Championship]] since they split from the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]] until their historic qualification for [[UEFA Euro 2024|Euro 2024]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/geor-intres.html |title=Georgia – International Results|access-date=14 August 2009|archive-date=15 October 2009 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015054743/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesg/geor-intres.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sadly, this tournament appearance was made long after Kaladze's retirement from football. His competitive debut was against [[Poland national football team|Poland]] on 14 June 1997 in a 1998 World Cup qualifier; Georgia lost the match 4–1.<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> Just two matches later, Kaladze was sent off for the second time playing for Georgia, along with [[Georgi Kinkladze]], against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]] in another 1998 World Cup qualifier.<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> Georgia finished in fourth place in the group and failed to qualify.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98q.html |title=World Cup 1998 Qualifying|access-date=14 August 2009|archive-date=1 June 2018 |website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601125924/http://rsssf.com/tables/98q.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In qualifying for [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], Georgia finished at the bottom of the group ([[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 2|Group 2]]) in sixth place, with just one win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/191195.stm |title=Football Euro 2000 qualifying group tables |work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2009 |date=10 October 1999|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729010804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/191195.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaladze occasionally captained the side during these qualifiers in the absence of [[Georgi Nemsadze]].<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" />

The qualifiers for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] ended with Georgia finishing in third place, ahead of [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] and [[Lithuania national football team|Lithuania]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.worldcup-2002.co.uk/qualifying-UEFA.htm |title=2002 FIFA World Cup – UEFA Qualifying Results |publisher=World Cup 2002|access-date=14 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627023435/http://www.worldcup-2002.co.uk/qualifying-UEFA.htm|archive-date=27 June 2009}}</ref> Kaladze played in all of the matches and often missed the friendlies in between.<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> Kaladze only played in three matches during the [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]] qualifiers, where Georgia finished in last place in the group.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/2899307.stm |title=Euro 2004 Qualifying Group Ten |work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2003|access-date=14 August 2009|archive-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713113612/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/2899307.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He did, however, feature in a 1–0 victory over neighbouring [[Russia national football team|Russia]], a victory considered to be one of Georgia's greatest successes.<ref name="Goal Project">{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/goalproject/geo_eng.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721085540/http://www.fifa.com/mm/goalproject/geo_eng.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2012 |title=Goal Project – Georgia |publisher=FIFA |date=20 January 2009|access-date=17 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> Kaladze played in all but one of the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] qualifying matches,<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /> where Georgia finished sixth in the group, with [[Kazakhstan national football team|Kazakhstan]] being the only team to finish below them.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/preliminaries/preliminary=8071/index.html |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Preliminaries |publisher=FIFA |access-date=16 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112182108/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/preliminaries/preliminary%3D8071/index.html |archive-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> He played fewer matches during the qualification for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]] and once again Georgia failed to qualify as they finished in sixth place despite starting their campaign with a 6–0 win over the [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroe Islands]].<ref name="Kakha Kaladze profile" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/group?league=uefa.euroq&season=2008&seasonType=1&groupId=2&cc=5739 |title=European Championship Qualifying Group B |publisher=ESPN|access-date=16 August 2009|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604072510/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/group?league=uefa.euroq&season=2008&seasonType=1&groupId=2&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He scored his first ever international goal against [[Latvia national football team|Latvia]] on 6 February 2008 in a friendly which Georgia lost 3–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313:georgia-1-3-latvia&catid=14&Itemid=100005 |title=Georgia 1–3 Latvia |publisher=Geofootball.com |author=Lasha Chankvetadze |date=9 February 2008|access-date=28 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711084803/http://en.geofootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313:georgia-1-3-latvia&catid=14&Itemid=100005|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 5 September 2009, Kaladze scored two [[own goal]]s in a [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] qualifying match against [[Italy national football team|Italy]] within the space of 11 minutes. The match ended 2–0 to Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-world-georgia-idUKL528526320090905 |title=Two Kaladze own goals give Italy win in Georgia |work=Reuters |date=5 September 2009|access-date=6 September 2009|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110173620/http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-world-georgia-idUKL528526320090905|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kaladze was the [[Captain (association football)|captain]] of the national team,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/georgian-captain-kaladze-at-odds-with-fifa-1.762434 |title=Georgian captain Kaladze at odds with FIFA |publisher=CBC |date=4 September 2008|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105064516/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2008/09/04/kaladze-fifa-georgia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kaladze introduced as ambassador" /> until 11 December 2011, when he announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1085251/kaladze-quits-national-team|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203085616/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1085251/kaladze-quits-national-team|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2012 |title=Kaladze quits national team |publisher=The World Game |date=13 December 2011|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> The [[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] reporter and the president of [[:it:Association internationale de la presse sportive|International Sports Press Association, AIPS]] [Italian], [[Gianni Merlo]] said: "Kakha Kaladze is a man of the history of [[Football in Georgia (country)|football in Georgia]]. In [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]] he was a pillar of the [[Defender (association football)|defense]] and also a nice and polite man."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://moffitor.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/aips-%e1%83%98%e1%83%a1-%e1%83%9e%e1%83%a0%e1%83%94%e1%83%96%e1%83%98%e1%83%93%e1%83%94%e1%83%9c%e1%83%a2%e1%83%9b%e1%83%90-%e1%83%99%e1%83%90%e1%83%9a%e1%83%90%e1%83%ab%e1%83%98%e1%83%a1-%e1%83%99/ |title=AIPS-ის პრეზიდენტმა კალაძის კარიერა შეაფასა |date=1 June 2013|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001115059/https://moffitor.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/aips-%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%9E%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%96%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%A2%E1%83%9B%E1%83%90-%E1%83%99%E1%83%90%E1%83%9A%E1%83%90%E1%83%AB%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%99/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Kaladze started to learn both Ukrainian and Russian after his move to Dynamo Kyiv and quickly became fluent. He also speaks Italian and English.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYbuHyrOjA8 |title=КАЛАДЗЕ: легенда "Милана" меняет Тбилиси &#124; კალაძე: "მილანი"-ს ლეგენდა ცვლის თბილისს |website=[[YouTube]] |date=17 November 2022 |access-date=22 November 2023 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122185403/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYbuHyrOjA8 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 May 2001, Kaladze's younger brother Levan, a medical student, was kidnapped in Georgia with a [[ransom]] of $600,000 demanded.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/a-georgian-nightmare-8qtpkt80bzn |title=A Georgian nightmare |date=23 March 2003 |via=www.thetimes.co.uk|access-date=9 July 2019|archive-date=9 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709055322/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-georgian-nightmare-8qtpkt80bzn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.repubblica.it/online/mondo/kala/kala/kala.html |title=la Repubblica/mondo: Rapito il fratello di Kaladze vogliono un miliardo e mezzo |website=www.repubblica.it|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205212337/https://www.repubblica.it/online/mondo/kala/kala/kala.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Milan bank on Kaladze steel">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/kakha-kaladze-milan-bank-on-kaladze-steel-790527.html |title=Milan bank on Kaladze steel |newspaper=The Independent |author=Frank Dunne |date=3 March 2008|access-date=28 June 2009 |location=London|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103090100/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/kakha-kaladze-milan-bank-on-kaladze-steel-790527.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Then-[[President of Georgia|President]] [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] promised that "everything is being done to locate him".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland/2405710/Kidnap-mystery-worries-Kaladze.html |title=Kidnap mystery worries Kaladze |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=10 June 2003|access-date=8 August 2009 |author=Christopher Davies |location=London|archive-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027022425/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland/2405710/Kidnap-mystery-worries-Kaladze.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this assurance, the only time that Levan was ever seen was in a video where he was shown [[blindfold]]ed and begging for help.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jul/30/kakha-kaladze-milan-gianluca-pessotto-juventus |title=Kakha Kaladze and Gianluca Pessotto's good news gives football perspective |newspaper=Guardian |date=30 July 2009|access-date=17 August 2009 |author=Amy Lawrence |location=London|archive-date=6 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906231003/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jul/30/kakha-kaladze-milan-gianluca-pessotto-juventus|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the kidnapping, Kaladze threatened to take up Ukrainian citizenship,<ref name="Kaladze fighting his grief" /> but reverted his decision, stating, "There was a time when I thought about quitting the national side completely, but I couldn't do it out of respect for the Georgian people and the fans who come and give us such support."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1122295.ece |title=A Georgian nightmare |work=Times Online |author=Paul Rowan |date=23 March 2003|access-date=28 June 2009 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Roughly four years later, on 6 May 2005, Georgian police officers found eight dead bodies in the [[Svaneti]] region and it was speculated that Levan was among them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/georgia/hypermail/200506/0054.shtml |title=Former Georgian Prosecutor General Implicated in Failure to Solve Abduction Case |work=Eurasianet |date=28 June 2005|access-date=28 June 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070707182623/http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/georgia/hypermail/200506/0054.shtml |archive-date = 7 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.123football.com/players/k/kakha-kaladze/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619143647/http://www.123football.com/players/k/kakha-kaladze/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 June 2006 |title=123football.com – Kakha Kaladze |publisher=123football.com|access-date=28 June 2009}}</ref> On 21 February 2006, Levan was officially identified among the deceased,<ref name="Milan bank on Kaladze steel" /> after tests from [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] experts.<ref name="Two men jailed">{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-europe-georgia-murder-idUKANT65386320070306 |title=Two men jailed for killing Milan player's brother |work=Reuters |date=6 March 2007|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110173620/http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-europe-georgia-murder-idUKANT65386320070306|url-status=dead}}</ref> The local media claimed that the ransom was paid by Kaladze's family,<ref name="Two men jailed" /> although another source says that Kaladze's father attempted to meet the kidnappers, who fled as they believed he was followed by the police.<ref name="Captain Kaladze looks to lift the gloom" /> Two men were sentenced to prison for the murder, David Asatiani for 25 years and Merab Amisulashvili for five.<ref name="Two men jailed" /> On 14 July 2009, Kaladze's wife Anouki gave birth to their first-born son in Milan. The couple named their son Levan in memory of Kaladze's brother.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/87579 |title=A Sweet Emotion |publisher=A.C. Milan |date=15 July 2009|access-date=5 January 2012|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223953/http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/87579|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kaladze has also been active in charitable causes and is a [[FIFA]] ambassador for the [[SOS Children's Villages]].<ref name="Kaladze introduced as ambassador">{{cite news |url=http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/News-and-Media/News/Pages/Kaladze-introduced-as-Georgias-FIFA-for-SOS-Childrens-Villages-ambassador.aspx |title=Kaladze introduced as Georgia's "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador |publisher=SOS Kindendorf International |date=18 January 2006|access-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617072511/http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/News-and-Media/News/Pages/Kaladze-introduced-as-Georgias-FIFA-for-SOS-Childrens-Villages-ambassador.aspx|archive-date=17 June 2010}}</ref> Through his Kala Foundation,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kalafoundation.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=75 |title=About Kala Foundation |publisher=Kalafoundation.it|access-date=8 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722040343/http://www.kalafoundation.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=75|archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> a charitable organisation established in 2008, Kaladze raised €50,000 to benefit [[South Ossetia]]n refugees during the [[2008 Georgia–Russia crisis|Russian invasion of Georgia]].<ref name="Captain Kaladze looks to lift the gloom">{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2008/0906/1220629534122.html |title=Captain Kaladze looks to lift the gloom for Georgia |newspaper=Irish Times |date=6 September 2008|access-date=8 August 2009 |author=Mary Hannigan|archive-date=26 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126143122/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2008/0906/1220629534122.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaladze also plans to release an [[autobiography]] with the proceeds going to the Kala Foundation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3822&Itemid=72 |title=Kakha Kaladze aids Georgian football with Kala Foundation |publisher=Georgian Daily |date=4 July 2008|access-date=17 July 2009 |author=Natalie Mchedlishvili|archive-date=4 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904030757/http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3822&Itemid=72|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Business ventures ===
Along with his football career, Kaladze is an investor in Georgia, Italy, [[Ukraine]] and [[Kazakhstan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=17489 |title=Ex-PM Chairs Soccer Star's Business Group |publisher=Civil.ge |date=31 March 2008|access-date=29 June 2009|archive-date=3 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903223557/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=17489|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaladze owns Kala Capital, an investment company established in 2008 in Georgia with a focus on energy businesses,<ref name="Transparency">{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.ge/en/post/general-announcement/possible-conflict-interests-kakha-kaladze |title=Possible conflict of interests of Kakha Kaladze |date=22 October 2012 |publisher=Transparency International Georgia|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513235945/http://www.transparency.ge/en/post/general-announcement/possible-conflict-interests-kakha-kaladze|url-status=live}}</ref> and whose chief executive is former Georgian Prime Minister [[Zurab Noghaideli]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jamestownfoundation.blogspot.com/2010/01/former-prime-minister-zurab-noghaideli.html |title=Jamestown Foundation Blog: Former Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli: Putin's New Pick for Georgia? |author=Jamestown Foundation |date=7 January 2010|access-date=7 August 2013|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225018/http://jamestownfoundation.blogspot.com/2010/01/former-prime-minister-zurab-noghaideli.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Richard B. Norland & Kakha Kaladze (Tskaltubo, 2012).jpg|thumb|right|Kaladze (right) with the United States Ambassador to Georgia [[Richard Norland]] (left) in 2012]]

Kaladze's other businesses include the [[Buddha Bar]] in [[Kyiv]] that opened in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buddhabar.com.ua/eng/buddabar/history |title=Сайт www.buddhabar.com.ua не настроен на сервере |website=www.buddhabar.com.ua|access-date=3 August 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705013426/http://www.buddhabar.com.ua/eng/buddabar/history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-16987.html |title=Kiev Report (2012) |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803105721/http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-16987.html |archive-date=3 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Kaladze is also the owner of a restaurant called Giannino, founded in 1899 by Giannino Bindi, which is based in Milan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ristorantegiannino.it/ |title=Ristorante Giannino |publisher=Ristorantegiannino.it|access-date=17 August 2009 |language=it|archive-date=2 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802164226/http://www.ristorantegiannino.it/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2321763/Clubs-set-to-cash-in-from-Chelsea-exodus.html |title=Clubs set to cash in from Chelsea exodus |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=23 September 2007|access-date=17 August 2009 |location=London|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112071617/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2321763/Clubs-set-to-cash-in-from-Chelsea-exodus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The restaurant has had a [[Michelin Guide|Michelin star]] under Davide Oldani and the chef in charge was Roberto Molinari.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olmoantico.it/data/allegati/allegati/Corriere%20della%20Sera%20ed.Milano%20-%2005%20Giugno%202006%20-%20Continuazione%20Acanto.pdf |title=Guerra tra chef in piazza Repubblica La sfida dei ristoranti "a cinque stelle" |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=5 June 2006 |access-date=13 December 2017 |archive-date=13 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213202425/http://www.olmoantico.it/data/allegati/allegati/Corriere%20della%20Sera%20ed.Milano%20-%2005%20Giugno%202006%20-%20Continuazione%20Acanto.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chef-consultant.com/ |title=Roberto Molinari |website=Roberto Molinari|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115170640/https://chef-consultant.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/06/04/kaladze-fa-rinascere-giannino.html |title=Kaladze fa rinascere Giannino |publisher=la Repubblica |date=4 June 2006|access-date=17 August 2009 |language=it|archive-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303234934/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/06/04/kaladze-fa-rinascere-giannino.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kala Capital owned 45 percent of the Georgia Hydropower Construction Company company SakHidroEnergoMsheni, a joint stock company incorporated in Georgia in 1998.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} His candidacy as [[Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Georgia)|Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]] in October 2012 was therefore overshadowed by concerns about a serious risk that a conflict of interests might arise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://transparency.ge/en/post/general-announcement/possible-conflict-interests-kakha-kaladze |title=Possible conflict of interests of Kakha Kaladze |website=საერთაშორისო გამჭვირვალობა - საქართველო|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022175348/https://transparency.ge/en/post/general-announcement/possible-conflict-interests-kakha-kaladze|url-status=live}}</ref> Reports on the same day indicated that Kaladze might refuse the energy portfolio or sell off his shares in Georgia Hydropower Construction Company within 10 days of his appointment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://greenalt.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kakha-Kaladze-Makes-a-Statement-on-a-Possible-Conflict-of-Interest.pdf |title=Kakha Kaladze Makes a Statement on a Possible Conflictof Interest |website=greenalt.org |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=3 August 2013 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626081206/http://greenalt.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kakha-Kaladze-Makes-a-Statement-on-a-Possible-Conflict-of-Interest.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Political office and conflict of interests ===
Kaladze became involved in the politics of Georgia as a member of the opposition [[Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia]] party founded by [[billionaire]] [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]] in February 2012. He was elected to the [[Parliament of Georgia]] on 1 October 2012 as majoritarian of [[Samtredia Municipality|Samtredia]] constituency. He was approved as Deputy Prime Minister as well as [[Ministry of Energy (Georgia)|Minister of Energy]] in the [[cabinet of Bidzina Ivanishvili]] on 25 October 2012.<ref name="auto" /> The appointment was met with skepticism in professional energy circles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/All-that-Glitters-is-Gold-for-Georgias-Sexy-New-Energy-Minister.html |title=All that Glitters is Gold for Georgia's Sexy New Energy Minister |date=17 October 2012 |work=OilPrice.com|access-date=3 August 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023515/http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/All-that-Glitters-is-Gold-for-Georgias-Sexy-New-Energy-Minister.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2012/1019/Georgia-installs-soccer-star-as-energy-minister |title=Georgia installs soccer star as energy minister |author=The Christian Science Monitor |date=19 October 2012 |work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=3 August 2013|archive-date=19 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919172516/http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2012/1019/Georgia-installs-soccer-star-as-energy-minister|url-status=live}}</ref> More importantly, it stirred an intense debate on a [[conflict of interest]] arising from Kaladze's business interests in the Georgia Hydropower Construction Company, in which Kala Capital owned 45 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eng.ghn.ge/news-6734.html |title=Kakha Kaladze owns the shares of "Sakhidromsheni" – News Agency – GHN |work=News Agency GHN|access-date=3 August 2013|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153654/http://eng.ghn.ge/news-6734.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kala Capital sold the shares to GMC Group in November 2012 but concerns whether his indirect commercial interests had been abandoned remain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interpressnews.ge/en/economics/42012-process-of-selling-kakhi-kaladzes-shares-in-sakhidromsheni-is-over.html?ar=A |title=Process of Selling Kakhi Kaladze's shares in "Sakhidromsheni" is Over – News Agency InterpressNews |work=interpressnews|access-date=3 August 2013|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142732/http://www.interpressnews.ge/en/economics/42012-process-of-selling-kakhi-kaladzes-shares-in-sakhidromsheni-is-over.html?ar=A|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Mayor of Tbilisi ===
In July 2017, Kaladze resigned as Energy minister in order to run for Tbilisi mayor in the upcoming local elections. On 22 October, he was elected mayor as a candidate of Georgian Dream, winning the elections with 51% of the votes. He was sworn in on 13 November 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Antidze |first1=Margarita |title=Former soccer star Kaladze becomes mayor of Georgia's capital |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-georgia-election/former-soccer-star-kaladze-becomes-mayor-of-georgias-capital-idUKKBN1CR0MU|access-date=1 April 2018 |work=Reuters |date=22 October 2017|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030436/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-georgia-election/former-soccer-star-kaladze-becomes-mayor-of-georgias-capital-idUKKBN1CR0MU|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kaladze won reelection in 2021 with 55% of the vote. His second term expires after the 2025 election.

=== In sanctions list ===
On 5 December 2024, President [[Zelenskyy]] imposed sanctions against [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]] and his 18 associates, including Kaladze, amid a violent crackdown on participants of [[2024 Georgian post-election protests|pro-EU protests]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/ukraine-sanctions-georgian-government-amid-crackdown-on-eu-protests/ar-AA1vjLr1?ocid=BingNewsSerp |title=Ukraine sanctions Georgian government amid crackdown on EU-protests |website=msn.com |date=5 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref> In response, Kaladze explained to media reporters the next day that "Zelenskyy does not belong to himself, the Ukrainian people and Ukraine as he serves another country".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/823684-kaxa-kalaze-shevdivar-am-adamianis-mdgomareobashi-zelenskis-vgulisxmob-mters-ar-vusurveb-im-mdgomareobashi-qopnas-romelshic-is-imqopeba/ |title=კახა კალაძე - შევდივარ ამ ადამიანის მდგომარეობაში |publisher=ipress.ge (in Georgian) |date=6 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref>

On 15 December 2024, [[Lithuania|Lithuanian]] Foreign Minister [[Kęstutis Budrys]] announced sanctions against 17 [[Georgian Dream]] officials, Kaladze among them.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://civil.ge/archives/645102 |access-date=19 December 2024 |publisher=civil.ge |title=Lithuania Sanctions Kobakhidze, 16 Other Officials Over Crackdown |date=15 December 2024}}</ref> On the same day, [[Estonia]] imposed a travel ban against 14 officials and judges with Kaladze also being in the list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Estonia adds another 14 Georgian officials and judges to the list of sanctions |url=https://vm.ee/en/news/estonia-adds-another-14-georgian-officials-and-judges-list-sanctions |access-date=19 December 2024 |publisher=vm.ee |date=15 December 2024}}</ref>

Тhe Ukrainian [[Ministry of Youth and Sports (Ukraine)|Ministry of Sport]] announced on 27 February 2025 that Kakha Kaladze had his title ''Маster of Sports of International Class'' revoked. This decision stemmed from a relevant presidential decree signed five days earlier which sanctioned 34 individuals in relation to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://champion.com.ua/ukr/others/timoshchuka-kaladze-ta-karyakina-pozbavili-sportivnih-zvan-v-ukrajini-povniy-spisok-1028342/ |title=Мінспорту позбавило Тимощука, Каладзе та Карякіна спортивних звань |website=champion.com.ua |date=3 March 2025 |access-date=4 March 2025 |language=Ukrainian}}</ref>

=== Controversy ===
Kaladze is known for his blunt language and manners. As he once revealed to reporters, "I never show restraint. Whenever I have to say something, I always express myself and never shy away regardless of how hard it is to see".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://report.ge/society/kakha-kaladzis-ganmarte/ |website=report.ge |title=კახა კალაძის განმარტებით მას შუა თითი აქციის მონაწილეებისთვის არ უჩვენებია |date=14 November 2019 |language=KA |access-date=3 May 2024 |archive-date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503111252/https://report.ge/society/kakha-kaladzis-ganmarte/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 November 2019, while sitting in a car he showed his middle finger to participants of a rally at the Georgian Dream HQ,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publika.ge/kaladzem-aqciis-monawileebs-shua-titi-achvena-video/ |title=კალაძემ აქციის თითი აჩვენა – ვიდეო |website=publika.ge |date=14 November 2019 |language=KA |access-date=3 May 2024 |archive-date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503111253/https://publika.ge/kaladzem-aqciis-monawileebs-shua-titi-achvena-video/ |url-status=live}}</ref> although in the same day he denied it being directed at protesters.

== Career statistics ==
=== Club ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/11881/kakha-kaladze?cc=5739 |title=Kakha Kaladze ESPN Profile |publisher=ESPN|access-date=4 October 2009|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215045/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/11881/kakha-kaladze?cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]]
|[[1993–94 Umaglesi Liga|1993–94]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Erovnuli Liga|Umaglesi Liga]]
|9||1||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||9||1
|-
|[[1994–95 Umaglesi Liga|1994–95]]
|23||0||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||23||0
|-
|[[1995–96 Umaglesi Liga|1995–96]]
|23||0||||||1{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|–||24||0
|-
|[[1996–97 Umaglesi Liga|1996–97]]
|12||0||||||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||16||0
|-
|[[1997–98 Umaglesi Liga|1997–98]]
|15||0||||||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League and in UEFA Cup}}||0||colspan="2"|–||22||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!82!!1!!!!!!12!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!94!!1
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]]
|[[1997–98 Vyshcha Liha|1997–98]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Ukrainian Premier League|Vyshcha Liha]]
|13||2||||||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||2
|-
|[[1998–99 FC Dynamo Kyiv season|1998–99]]
|25||3||||||12{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|–||37||4
|-
|[[1999–2000 Vyshcha Liha|1999–00]]
|25||1||||||14{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|–||39||2
|-
|[[2000–01 Vyshcha Liha|2000–01]]
|8||0||||||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|–||15||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!6!!!!!!33!!3!!colspan="2"|–!!104!!9
|-
|rowspan="11"|[[A.C. Milan|Milan]]
|[[2000–01 A.C. Milan season|2000–01]]
|rowspan="10"|[[Serie A]]
|17||3||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||18||3
|-
|[[2001–02 A.C. Milan season|2001–02]]
|30||4||5||0||11{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||46||4
|-
|[[2002–03 A.C. Milan season|2002–03]]
|27||0||4||1||15{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||46||1
|-
|[[2003–04 A.C. Milan season|2003–04]]
|6||0||3||0||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1||0||11||0
|-
|[[2004–05 A.C. Milan season|2004–05]]
|19||2||2||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||26||2
|-
|[[2005–06 A.C. Milan season|2005–06]]
|28||2||4||0||11{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||43||2
|-
|[[2006–07 A.C. Milan season|2006–07]]
|18||1||1||0||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||26||1
|-
|[[2007–08 A.C. Milan season|2007–08]]
|32||0||0||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||2{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||42||0
|-
|[[2008–09 A.C. Milan season|2008–09]]
|11||0||1||0||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||16||0
|-
|[[2009–10 A.C. Milan season|2009–10]]
|6||0||2||0||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||10||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!194!!12!!23!!1!!64!!0!!3!!0!!284!!13
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Genoa C.F.C.|Genoa]]
|[[2010–11 Genoa C.F.C. season|2010–11]]
|rowspan="2"|Serie A
|26||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||1
|-
|[[2011–12 Serie A|2011–12]]
|27||0||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!53!!1!!3!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!56!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!400!!20!!26!!2!!109!!3!!3!!0!!538!!27
|}
{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|2523|name=Kakha Kaladze|access-date=27 May 2011}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="16"|[[Georgia national football team|Georgia]]
|1996||3||0
|-
|1997||3||0
|-
|1998||8||0
|-
|1999||7||0
|-
|2000||3||0
|-
|2001||7||0
|-
|2002||2||0
|-
|2003||2||0
|-
|2004||5||0
|-
|2005||10||0
|-
|2006||4||0
|-
|2007||6||0
|-
|2008||4||1
|-
|2009||4||0
|-
|2010||7||0
|-
|2011||8||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!83!!1
|}

:''Scores and results list Georgia's goal tally first.''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 6 February 2008 || [[Dinamo Arena|Boris Paichadze Stadium]], [[Tbilisi]] || {{fb|LAT}} || '''1'''–3 || 1–3 || [[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]
|}

== Honours ==
;Dinamo Tbilisi
* [[Umaglesi Liga|Georgian League]]: [[1993–94 Umaglesi Liga|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Umaglesi Liga|1994–95]], [[1995–96 Umaglesi Liga|1995–96]], [[1996–97 Umaglesi Liga|1996–97]], [[1997–98 Umaglesi Liga|1997–98]]
* [[Georgian Cup]]: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
* [[Georgian Super Cup]]: 1996, 1997

;Dynamo Kyiv
* [[Ukrainian Premier League]]: [[1998–99 Ukrainian Premier League|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 Ukrainian Premier League|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 Ukrainian Premier League|2000–01]]
* [[Ukrainian Cup]]: [[1997–98 Ukrainian Cup|1997–98]], [[1998–99 Ukrainian Cup|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 Ukrainian Cup|1999–2000]]

;Milan
* [[Serie A]]: [[2003–04 Serie A|2003–04]]
* [[Coppa Italia]]: [[2002–03 Coppa Italia|2002–03]]
* [[Italian Supercup]]: [[2004 Supercoppa Italiana|2004]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2003 UEFA Champions League Final|2002–03]], [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2006–07]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2003 UEFA Super Cup|2003]], [[2007 UEFA Super Cup|2007]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]

;Individual
* [[Georgian Footballer of the Year]]: 2001,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/1/nl014764.html |title=Kaladze named best Georgian footballer |date=12 June 2001|access-date=13 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru|archive-date=18 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718071403/https://www.sport-express.ru/news/|url-status=live}}</ref> 2002,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025e-0f9071237df2-877d03f023fe-1000--kaladze-named-georgia-s-finest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206123654/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/national-associations/news/025e-0f9071237df2-877d03f023fe-1000--kaladze-named-georgia-s-finest/ |archive-date=6 February 2023 |title=Kaladze named Georgia's finest |date=27 June 2002 |publisher=[[UEFA]] |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref> 2003,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sports.ru/football/2922204.html |title=Kaladze is the best footballer of Georgia |date=20 June 2003|access-date=26 March 2008 |publisher=sports.ru |language=ru|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520132956/http://www.sports.ru/football/2922204.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/14/nl141288.html |title=Kaladze became best Georgian footballer for the fourth time |date=9 June 2006|access-date=13 March 2008 |publisher=Sport Express |language=ru|archive-date=19 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619170417/http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/14/nl141288.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 2011
* A.C. Milan Hall of Fame<ref name="Kakha Kaladze A.C. Milan profile" />
* <small>Source: [http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/kakha-kaladze.html Eurosport at Yahoo]</small>

== Electoral history ==
{| class=wikitable width=100%
! rowspan=2|Election
! rowspan=2|Affiliation
! colspan=3|First round
! colspan=3|Second round
|-
!Votes
!Percentage
!Position
!Votes
!Percentage
!Position
|-align=center
![[2017 Georgian local elections|2017 Tbilisi Mayoral Elections]]
| [[Georgian Dream]]|| 204,061 || {{Percentage bar|51.09|c={{party color|Georgian Dream}}}} || 1st || bgcolor=lightgrey colspan=3|
|-align=center
![[2021 Georgian local elections|2021 Tbilisi Mayoral Elections]]
| [[Georgian Dream]]|| 216,344	 || {{Percentage bar|45.01|c={{party color|Georgian Dream}}}} || 1st ||258,776	 || {{Percentage bar|55.61|c={{party color|Georgian Dream}}}} || 1st
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725203137/http://www.genoacfc.it/index.php?option=com_campionato&task=giocatore&giocatore=481 |date=dmy |title=Profile at GenoaFC.it }}
*{{Official website|http://www.kaladze.it/}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823010446/http://www.kalafoundation.org/ |date=dmy |title=Kala Foundation – Official Website }}
*{{FFU|26978}}

{{Georgian Footballer of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaladze, Kakha}}
[[Category:Men's footballers from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Georgia (country) men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Georgia (country) men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:FC Samtredia players]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo Tbilisi players]]
[[Category:FC Dynamo Kyiv players]]
[[Category:FC Dynamo-2 Kyiv players]]
[[Category:AC Milan players]]
[[Category:Genoa CFC players]]
[[Category:Erovnuli Liga players]]
[[Category:Ukrainian Premier League players]]
[[Category:Ukrainian First League players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Georgia (country) in Italy]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Sportsperson-politicians from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Mayors of Tbilisi]]
[[Category:Georgia (country) men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century sportsmen from Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:People from Samtredia]]
[[Category:Footballers from Imereti]]
[[Category:Deputy prime ministers of Georgia]]
[[Category:Georgian Dream politicians]]
[[Category:Energy ministers of Georgia]]