After surviving his muscle bundle tear, Otar Kiteishvili is again the metronome in the attack of the Grazers. The 24-year-old doesn’t want to give up Styria anytime soon.
Since the Georgian returned from his injury, SK Sturm has been back on track. Four games, four wins and a goal difference of 11-0. Kiteishvili was directly involved in five goals.
So it would come as no surprise if clubs in Europe hadn’t noticed this development. “Of course it’s a dream to play for a really big club, but my life here in Graz also feels like a dream. As a little boy in Georgia, I would never have expected it. I’ve never had a life like this here, “said the attacking midfielder.
However, Sturm will hardly see the situation completely relaxed. In the summer Kiteishvili goes into his final year of contract. Before that, a decision about his future must be made.
Schicker: “Extension won’t be easy”
An extension is also being worked on, said sports director Andreas Schicker. “Of course I try to renew a player like him early on, but it won’t be easy.” Conversely, Sturm is a club that depends on transfer proceeds. “If a very good offer comes in the summer, then you have to accept it.”
The only 34-year-old successor to Günter Kreissl made the squad leaner and cheaper in the summer, but added foreign and domestic top-class players such as Jon Gorenc-Stankovic and Andreas Kuen. According to Schicker, the main focus was on the interpersonal area. “It was essential that we become a real team. Then Sturm always succeeded.” This happened. “We managed to become a real unit.”
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