Who is Giorgi Aburjania? The experienced Georgia star 'on the verge' of signing for Sunderland

Here is everything you need to know about Aburjania and his links to the Stadium of Light:

What’s the story?

A story from Spanish newspaper Sport Cartagena claims the 26-year-old has accepted a contract offer from the Black Cats.

It has already been confirmed that Aburjania will leave FC Cartagena, who compete in La Liga 2, when his current deal officially expires in the coming days.

What is Giorgi Aburjania’s career so far?

Aburjania came through the youth system at Georgian club Metalurgi Rustavi. He then enjoyed further spells at Dila and Lokomotivi Tbilisi in his homeland before joining Cypriot side Anorthosis in 2014.

He has played all of his football in Spain since moving there to join Gimnastic – with the exception of a loan switch to FC Twente during the 2019/20 campaign.

That loan spell in the Netherlands came whilst he was on the books of Sevilla, where he also completed a temporary switch to CD Lugo.

He joined Real Oviedo on a one-year deal last summer but that was cut short in January when a lack of game time prompted a move to FC Cartagena.

What about Giorgi Aburjania’s international career?

Aburjania has been capped 37 times by Georgia since earning his first senior call up in 2016.

He started in Georgia’s June friendlies– scoring in a 2-1 win against Romania before losing 3-0 to the Netherlands.

What is Giorgi Aburjani’s position?

Aburjania is a central midfielder.

Indeed, he was recognised as one of Cartagena’s key performers during the second half of last season, hence why the Spanish club were so desperate to retain him.

Lee Johnson is in the market for a new midfielder after releasing Max Power, Josh Scowen and Grant Leadbitter at the end of last season.

What has Giorgi Aburjani said about his future?

Aburjania recently announced his Cartagena exit on Instagram.

He said: “It has been a very beautiful stage and for which I am very grateful.

"I will always wish you the best and I will be very aware of your future, which is sure to be great.

“Thank you very much for everything @fccartagena”.

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