Biography
Who is Levan Kobiashvili?
Early Career and Club Beginnings
Levan Kobiashvili began his football path at Avaza Tbilisi before joining Gorda Rustavi for his professional debut in the Umaglesi Liga during the year 1993. After spending two seasons with Rustavi, he transferred to Dinamo Tbilisi in 1995 under the guidance of coach David Kipiani. His performances quickly established him as a key player for the squad.
In 1997, Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz secured Levan on a season long loan deal. During this period, he made twenty one appearances in the Russian Top League and scored five goals. He also gained valuable experience playing in the UEFA Cup, scoring against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk during the tournament.
Playing in Germany
Following a loan spell at SC Freiburg, Levan signed a permanent deal with the German club in 1998. He became a vital part of manager Volker Finke's tactical system alongside compatriots Alexander Iashvili and Levan Tskitishvili. Freiburg finished sixth in the Bundesliga during the 2000 to 2001 season, earning a spot in the UEFA Cup where Levan played in all six matches and scored against Feyenoord.
After Freiburg suffered relegation, Levan chose to remain with the team and helped secure promotion back to the top tier by scoring ten goals. In the summer of 2003, his contract expired and he accepted an offer from Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen. Coaches Jupp Heynckes and later Ralf Rangnick deployed him as both a left back and a midfielder to connect defense and attack.
International Career and Suspension
Levan debuted for the Georgia national team in September 1996 during a friendly match against Norway in Oslo. In 2011, he became his country's first player to reach one hundred international caps, receiving a special award from UEFA for the milestone. He captained the squad sixteen times and scored twelve international goals, which included two during a victory against Uruguay in 2006 and a winning goal against Croatia in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier.
Toward the end of his time with Hertha BSC, Levan received a suspension following a relegation playoff match against Fortuna Düsseldorf. After striking the referee, he received a ban that was later reduced by the German Football Association to end on December 31, 2012.
Political and Post Playing Career
Transitioning away from active sport, Levan entered sports administration and public office in his home country. On October 4, 2015, he was elected as president of the Georgian Football Federation. The following year, he successfully ran for office and became a member of the Parliament of Georgia.
Outside of his administrative duties, Levan remains active in philanthropic efforts within Georgia. Through his charity fund named Kobi and Friends, he donated ten thousand GEL to assist victims of the severe Tbilisi flood in 2015.
Birthday and age
Levan Kobiashvili was born on July 10, 1977, which makes Levan 49 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Levan shares the date with 64 other famous people.
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