Giorgi Nemsadze: Georgia and Dundee legend dies aged 54

Former Georgia captain and Dundee midfielder Giorgi Nemsadze has died at the age of 54 of a heart attack.

Dinamo Tbilisi, with whom he started and ended his playing career, made the announcement "with a heavy heart" on Facebook.

Having previously played with Hamburg, Trabzonspor, Grasshoppers, Reggiana and Locomotive Tbilisi, Nemsadze joined Dundee in 2000, spending three years with the club, and earned 69 caps for his country.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has led the tributes, stating: "I express my deep sorrow over the death of Giorgi Nemsadze. This is a tremendous loss for Georgian football.

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"As the former captain of Georgia's national team, an outstanding professional and a leader with a fighting spirit, he successfully represented both the national team and Georgian and foreign clubs.

"With his distinctive playing style and perseverance, he left a lasting mark on the history of Georgian sport."

Nemsadze joined Dundee during the era of big-name signings - such as Argentina striker Claudio Caniggia - under manager Ivano Bonetti, and was inducted into the Scottish Premiership club's hall of fame in 2010.

He subsequently spent a year as Dinamo's sporting director before entering coaching with the country's youth players and managing Shevardeni Tbilisi, Dila Gori and Dinamo.

Dundee said on their website: "Everyone at Dundee Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of former player and Hall of Fame inductee Giorgi Nemsadze.

"Giorgi's three-and-a-half years at Dens provided many highlights for the Dundee faithful and the man with dazzling skill made 17 appearances for Georgia during his time at Dens.

"In April 2010, Nemsadze's lasting affection for the club was returned when he was inducted to the Hall of Fame, receiving the international award in a city he had previously called his 'second home'.

"He gave the fans one last chance to see him in dark blue in 2015, when he featured in Julian Speroni's testimonial.

"Everyone at the club extends their condolences to Giorgi's friends and family at this incredibly difficult time."