Promising Georgian Fullback Niniashvili Sparks Bidding War Ahead of Contract Expiration
NANTES, France, October 07, 2023 (BBC Rugby Union) – Davit Niniashvili, the dynamic 21-year-old Georgian fullback, has found himself at the center of a high-stakes transfer saga as his contract with Lyon Olympique Universitaire nears its early conclusion. The rising star’s impending free agency has ignited a bidding war between two of France’s Top 14 powerhouses, RC Toulon and Stade Rochelais.
Niniashvili, who arrived in France in 2021 as an academy player, has been a revelation for Lyon, earning over 50 caps and scoring 23 tries while helping the club secure an EPCR Challenge Cup triumph in 2022. His explosive performances on the international stage for Georgia, where he has amassed 28 caps and 9 tries in the last three years, have further cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in rugby union.
The utility back’s standout displays in the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages, where he topped the charts for metres run and defenders beaten, have only fueled the frenzy surrounding his future.
With Niniashvili’s contract set to expire on July 1, 2025, there had been discussions of a potential extension until 2026, but the player appears ready to embark on a new challenge.
- La Rochelle’s search for a long-term successor to veteran fullback Brice Dulin, who will turn 35 next April, has made Niniashvili an attractive target.
- Meanwhile, Toulon, who were the first to express interest in the Georgian, have an open vacancy in their back three following Aymeric Luc’s departure to Pau.
While Niniashvili still has one year remaining on his current deal, he is free to negotiate a move this summer, provided the new club is willing to pay a compensation fee to Lyon Olympique Universitaire. As the negotiation process intensifies, rugby enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the talented fullback’s next destination.
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