Former Georgia captain and Dundee midfielder Giorgi Nemsadze has died aged 54 of a heart attack. Dinamo Tbilisi announced the news on Facebook, and Nemsadze started and ended his playing career with the club.
Playing career
Nemsadze previously played with Hamburg, Trabzonspor, Grasshoppers, Reggiana and Locomotive Tbilisi. He joined Dundee in 2000 and spent three years with the club.
International and club record
Nemsadze earned 69 caps for Georgia. He was inducted into Dundee's hall of fame in 2010.
Work after retirement
Nemsadze subsequently spent a year as Dinamo's sporting director before entering coaching with the country's youth players and managing Shevardeni Tbilisi, Dila Gori and Dinamo.
Tributes
Dinamo Tbilisi announced the news "with a heavy heart" on Facebook. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said: "I express my deep sorrow over the death of Giorgi Nemsadze. This is a tremendous loss for Georgian football."
Kobakhidze added: "As the former captain of Georgia's national team, an outstanding professional and a leader with a fighting spirit, he successfully represented both the national team and Georgian and foreign clubs."
He also said: "With his distinctive playing style and perseverance, he left a lasting mark on the history of Georgian sport."