Team

HSV sign Gocholeishvili

The 24-year-old right-back joins the Rothosen on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk. Stefan Kuntz described him as “a great personality with a superb mentality”.

After completing the signing of centre-back Warmed Omari, Hamburger SV have bolstered their defensive ranks further by bringing in right-back Giorgi Gocholeishvili. He spent last season on loan at F.C. Copenhagen, making 33 competitive appearances for the Danish side, and he has now joined the Rothosen on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk with an option to buy. The 24-year-old Georgian passed his medical at the UKE Athleticum on Wednesday, 6th August, and then signed his contract at the Volksparkstadion.

“In Giorgi, we’ve brought in a player who is a great personality with a superb mentality. He is known as a real team player with a strong work ethic. All these attributes will help not just our defence, but also our whole team both on and off the pitch,” said HSV board member for sport Stefan Kuntz.

Director of football Claus Costa also lauded the footballing qualities of the 14-time Georgian international. “Giorgi is a quick and hard-working full-back. He is very willing to do the defensive work and has a good level of aggression. On top of that, he also leads counterattacks and can always make things happen going forward. Giorgi’s qualities fit our profile perfectly.”

New signing Giorgi Gocholeishvili is returning to the Volkspark.

Good memories at the Volkspark

Gocholeishvili was born on 14th February 2001 in Kutaisi, Georgia, and learnt his trade in the academy of Tbilisi-based side FC Iberia 1999. The 1.78-metre-tall right-back broke into the first team, making his senior debut aged 19 in a Europa League qualifier in August 2020.

Gocholeishvili then developed into both a key player at the club and a full Georgian international. In early 2023, he moved from his home country to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk. He soon lifted the league and cup double with Shakhtar during the 2023/24 season. Gocholeishvili also made four appearances in the UEFA Champions League – including three at the Volkspark, where the Ukrainian side played their home games in the competition that season.

The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at F.C. Copenhagen, where he also won the league and cup double. He has now completed another loan move to Hamburger SV, who also have an option to buy the defender. “I’m very happy that the move to HSV has been completed, and I can’t wait to get going and to get to know my new teammates. I already have special memories of this stadium from my games here with Shakhtar Donetsk. Now, I want to have more good experiences here as a HSV player, and I will give my all,” said Gocholeishvili, who will wear the number 16 shirt for his new club. On the morning of Thursday, 7th August, the Georgian travelled to the training camp in Spain, where he will meet his new teammates.