Perhaps, not many of you may have heard about football player Givi Todua who is of Georgian origin. The 19-year-old midfielder who plays in the name of Russia became a player of “Newcastle”. “World Sport” contacted Givi and took interview from him.

A few days ago news agency ITAR-TASS spread information that Givi Todua wants to play for the Russian national team. After the Abkhazian war his family moved to Russia. On May 8, 1995, Givi was born in Moscow where he started career in “Moskvich” at the age of 6.

The young football player told “World Sport” about his career and life.

-          Have you ever been to Georgia and do you have relatives here?

-          No, I have not. After the Abkhazian war my family had to leave our homeland. I have relatives in Georgia.

-          Where did you start your football career?

-          I started career in “Moskvich” Moscow at the age of 5 or 6. My coach did not want me to play with elder players.

-          Then?

-          At the age of 12 I went to England. I entered “Sunderland” summer school. When “Sunderland” won Junior Premier League, they suggested one-year contract. In 2010 I singed a 3-year contract with “Sunderland”. I played in the youth team of this club. I spent the previous season in “Middlesbrough” and now I am in “Newcastle”. I signed 1+1-year contract with this club.

-          Will you play in the main team?

-          No, I will be in the reserve team. My goal is to play in the main team.

-          You played in “Middlesbrough” and scored 12 goals…

-          Yes, the previous season was very interesting for me.

-          Has anybody contacted you from Georgia to play for the national team?

-          Nobody has contacted me from the Georgian Football Federation. I have citizenship of Russia and Great Britain.

-          According to news agency ITAR-TASS, you want to play for the Russian national team, right?

-          Yes, I want.

-          Will you accept suggestion from Georgia?

-          My goal is to play in the Russian national team. The country where I started my career.

-          Have you heard about the Georgian football players and have you ever met them?

-          Yes, of course, Davit Kipiani, Vitali Daraselia, Kakha Kaladze, Levan Kobiashvili, the Arveladze brothers and Temur Ketsbaia who played for “Newcastle”. I have met Akhrik Tsveiba and Zaza Janashia in my childhood.

-          Besides football, what do you do in your spare time?

-          I love singing. I spend my free time with family and friends. They always support me.

-          Who is your hero football player?

-          I do not have a hero. My goal is to help people. Of course, I like Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.

-          Besides “Newcastle”, which club do you want to play for?

-          My dream club is “Barcelona” but my heart goes out to “Anzhi”. This club has great fans.

-          Have you heard about the Georgian football players of “Anzhi”?

-          Yes, I know them had good career in “Anzhi”.

Giorgi Balakhadze

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLMem-sNNPc