FC Lorient are currently the frontrunners to sign Giorgi Tsitaishvili, the recently departed winger from FC Metz, according to FussballTransfer.com. The 25-year-old is available on a free transfer following Metz’s relegation from Ligue 1 at the end of the season. While SC Freiburg and PSV Eindhoven have also expressed interest, Tsitaishvili is reportedly keen to remain in France.
Tsitaishvili contributed three goals and two assists for Metz during the most recent campaign, a season which ultimately ended in disappointment for the club. He joined Metz in January 2022 from Georgian side Dinamo Batumi, and has made 43 appearances for the French side across all competitions, scoring five goals in total. His performances, however, were not enough to prevent Metz from finishing bottom of Ligue 1 and suffering relegation.
Freiburg’s interest represents a potential link to the club’s past, as the Breisgau club once fielded a notable contingent of Georgian players in the early 2000s. Aleksandre Iashvili, Levan Kobiashvili, and even Levan Tsitaishvili – Giorgi’s brother – all represented Freiburg during a period when the club became a popular destination for players from Georgia. Bringing in another Georgian international could appeal to the club’s fanbase, evoking memories of that successful era.
However, Lorient’s position as favourites stems from Tsitaishvili’s preference to continue his career in France. The club finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season and will compete in the UEFA Europa Conference League next term, offering Tsitaishvili a potentially attractive platform to showcase his abilities. PSV Eindhoven’s interest presents another option, but appears less likely to materialise given the player’s stated desire to stay in France. Should Tsitaishvili join Lorient, he would add depth to their attacking options ahead of a demanding season.
