Solomon "Saba" Kvirkvelia () (, ; born 6 February 1992) is a Georgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Erovnuli Liga club Torpedo Kutaisi and the Georgia national team.
He has been twice named as Footballer of the Year in Georgia.
Club career Rubin Kazan After spending a season with Zenit Saint Petersburg, Kvirkvelia joined another Russian club, Rubin Kazan in 2011. He made his Russian Premier League debut for Rubin Kazan on 22 July 2011 in a game against FC Terek Grozny.
Lokomotiv Moscow In February 2017, Rubin Kazan and Lokomotiv Moscow agreed a loan deal for Kvirkvelia until the end of the 2016–17 season.FC Rubin and FC Lokomotiv made a loan deal for Kverkvelia Kvirkvelia became a regular member of the team, participating 12 games until the end of the 2016–17 season. Lokomotiv won Russian Cup during this season, which was the first title for the Georgian with his new club.Lokomotiv win the 2017 Russian Cup Final in Sochi
On 30 June 2017, he moved to Lokomotiv on a permanent basis, signing a four-year contract.
Loan to Rotor Volgograd On 20 August 2020, he joined Rotor Volgograd on loan for the 2020–21 season.
Move to Ukraine In October 2021, Kvirkvelia moved to the Ukrainian Premier League side Metalist 1925, although his tenure was abruptly ended due to Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Gagra On 8 April 2022, Kvirkvelia returned to Georgia and signed with Gagra, the first Georgian club in his career.
Neftçi On 4 July 2022, Neftçi announced the signing of Kvirkvelia on a two-year contract. On 16 July 2023, Kvirkvelia left Neftçi after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
Al-Okhdood On 15 July 2023, Kvirkvelia joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Okhdood on a free transfer.
Dinamo Tbilisi On 2 September 2024, Dinamo Tbilisi announced the signing of Kvirkvelia on a contract until the end of the year.
Torpedo Kutaisi On 6 February 2025, Kvirkvelia moved to Torpedo, the runners-up of the previous Erovnuli Liga season, on a two-year deal.
International career On an international level, he debuted for Georgia in a friendly match against Liechtenstein on 5 March 2014.
In 2011–13, Kvirkvelia was repeatedly called up to the U21 team. Having participated in 14 competitive games, he is among the five all-time most capped players.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRubin Kazan2011–12Russian Premier League812040—1412012–1330000000302013–141801030–2202014–1529130——3212015–1629100100—3912016–170010——10Total87370170001113Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (loan)2012–13Russian National Football League18010——190Lokomotiv Moscow2016–17Russian Premier League12030——1502017–1829211100104132018–193015050004012019–2090101000110Total803101160101074Rotor Volgograd (loan)2020–21Russian Premier League190———190Metalist 1925 Kharkiv2021–22Ukrainian Premier League6010——70Gagra2022Erovnuli Liga120———120Neftçi2022–23Azerbaijan Premier League3325040—422Al-Okhdood2023–24Saudi Pro League33010——340Dinamo Tbilisi2024Erovnuli Liga13130——161 Torpedo Kutaisi 2025 Erovnuli Liga 252–2020292Career total326112813903039612
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsGeorgia201470201550201680201760201870201930202050202110202260202370202460Total610
Honours Rubin Kazan Russian Cup: 2011–12
Lokomotiv Moscow Russian Premier League: 2017–18 Russian Cup: 2016–17, 2018–19
Individual Georgian Footballer of the Year: 2014, 2017
References
External links