23-year-old Georgian Irakli Chirikashvili plays for Neuchâtel “Xamax “, which competes at Super League of Switzerland. How did this story start? Three weeks ago Chechen businessmen bought this club. Bulat Chagav owner of “Terek” Grozny is one of them.
There is a former Brazilian star of “Bacelona” - Sonny Anderson in the coaching staff of the club. Goalkeeping coach is a former goalkeeper of French National Team – Jean Luc Ettori.
As for transfers, “Xamax” has already transferred David Navaro from “Valencia”and 24-year-old Viktor Sanches who grew up in “Barcelona”. Several interesting transfers are planned.
Bulat Chagaev wanted to change name for the club and name like “Xamax Vaynax”, vaynax is Chechen word.. He could not manage to change name but managed to make new emblem with Chechen ornaments.
“Xamax” became champion of Switzerland twice (1987, 1988). In the previous season “Xamax” took the 8th place.
As for Chirikashvili, Irakli has already played one test match against French “Arles-Avignon” (1:0). Georgian player substituted Viktor Sanches and had chance of scoring at the 54th minute, but French goalkeeper parried out the ball. It is noteworthy that Chirikashvili is noted in “Xamax” squid. And one of the Swiss editorial reports, that he is still being tested.
As for his career: in 2004-2007 he was playing for “Dinamo” Tbilisi and was considered one of the prospective players of Georgian National Youth Team. He also has played for “Borjomi”, “Lokomotivi” Tbilisi, “Spartaki” Tskhinvali” and “Sioni” Bolnisi.
Chirikashvili is left-hander midfielder, he is good at kicking and performs standard kicks very well.
Ilia Nanobashvili
