The 2023 season was Torpedo's 77th year in existence and 14th consecutive season in the top flight of Georgian football. In addition to the national league and David Kipiani Cup, the club participated in this season's edition of the Georgian Super Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League as the cup holder of the previous year.
The season covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023. This was the second full season under the New Vision University management after they purchased the club in September 2021.
Аs Georgia co-hosted UEFA European U21 Championship this summer, Kutaisi's central stadium underwent a thorough reconstruction. For this reason, Torpedo were unable to play home matches at their arena until the 22nd round.
The team had a promising start to the season. With a single defeat in the initial nine games, they were 3rd, five points behind the table leaders. But having picked up six points in the next second nine-match period, they dropped to 6th. By the summer break, Torpedo had experienced a significant squad and staff overhaul, which included their head coach as well.
The club drastically improved in the second half of the season. They gained as many points in their last nine games (21) as in the first eighteen matches. Ultimately, Torpedo leapfrogged their three opponents and finished among the top three for the first time in five years.
Events On 13 January, Levan Mchedlidze, Dino Hamzić and Mate Tsintsadze left Torpedo while Oto Goshadze and Davit Samurkasovi joined the club.
On 20 January, Torpedo signed Kayke David.
On 11 February, the club announced the transfer of Nika Kacharava.
On 24 February, Torpedo welcomed Aldair Neto and Sunday Faleye.
On 31 March, Levan Osikmashvili was signed on loan from Dinamo Tbilisi until the end of the season.
On 8 May, head coach Kakha Chkhetiani left Torpedo by mutual agreement with the club sitting 6th in the league table.
On 16 May, Roin Kvaskhvadze, Giorgi Kimadze and Levan Gegetchkori left the team.
On 17 May, the club announced that Steve Kean was appointed as a new head coach.
On 27 May, Nika Kacharava parted ways with Torpedo.
On 16 June, Davit Samurkasovi and Giorgi Kukhianidze left the club.
On 23 June, Akaki Shulaia left Torpedo by mutual agreement.
On 28 June, assistant manager Nilton Terroso as well as players Rahmat Akbari, Francois Ekongolo and Filip Kljajić joined Torpedo.
On 8 July, Tornike Akhvlediani moved to Samtredia on loan.
On 12 July, Anri Chichinadze, Giorgi Pantsulaia and Nikola Ninković signed with Torpedo on 1.5 year-long deals each. They were joined by Omran Haydary.
On 24 July, Avtandil Labadze, Juba Dvalishvili and Sunday Faleye left for Samtredia.
On 2 December, after a 2–2 draw at Dinamo Batumi, Torpedo finished the season 3rd and secured both the bronze medals and a UEFA Europa Conference League spot for next year.
On 30 December, Torpedo announced that the contract with head coach Steve Kean was extended to the end of 2025 while players Mauro Caballero, Giorgi Kobuladze, Anri Chichinadze, Giorgi Pantsulaia and Aldair Neto left the club.
Squad All data regarding players and squad numbers are valid as of 2 December 2023, the last match of the 2023 season. Appearances include the Erovnuli Liga only.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Player Nat. Positions Date of birth (age) Signed in Apps. Goals Goalkeepers 1 Oto Goshadze GK 2023 14 0 31 Filip Kljajić GK 2023 15 0 30 Roin Kvaskhvadze GK 2021 38 0 31 Avtandil Labadze GK 2022 3 0 37 Avtandil Meparishvili GK 2023 0 0 Defenders 25 Jemal Chachua DF 2023 1 0 4 Anri Chichinadze DF 2023 7 1 18 Levan Gegetchkori DF 2022 23 0 2 Saba Goglichidze DF 2021 30 0 8 Giorgi Kimadze DF 2022 33 0 15 Giorgi Kobuladze DF 2023 22 1 22 Giorgi Mchedlishvili DF 2022 37 0 3 Pedro Monteiro DF 2022 46 1 5 Tsotne Nadaraia DF 2019 100 2 16 Nika Sandokhadze DF 2022 57 2 27 Lasha Shergelashvili DF 2022 47 7 24 Amiran Tkeshelashvili DF 2023 1 0 Midfielders 6 Rahmat Akbari MF 2023 11 0 26 Aleko Basiladze MF 2023 1 0 20 Irakli Bugridze MF 2022 59 12 38 Kayke David MF 2023 19 1 7 Merab Gigauri MF 2022 39 1 10 Giorgi Kukhianidze MF 2022 37 11 13 Giuli Manjgaladze MF 2022 56 3 21 Aldair Neto MF 2023 27 0 6 Levan Osikmashvili MF 2023 6 0 17 Davit Samurkasovi MF 2023 16 0 11 Akaki Shulaia MF 2022 46 2 Forwards 9 Tornike Akhvlediani FW 2021 46 12 8 Giorgi Arabidze FW 2022 59 19 39 Mauro Caballero FW 2022 30 3 9 Francois Ekongolo FW 2023 8 2 40 Sunday Faleye FW 2023 15 0 11 Omran Haydary FW 2023 8 0 35 Davit Imedadze FW 2023 1 2 14 Nika Kacharava FW 2023 14 3 10 Nikola Ninković FW 2023 13 5 14 Giorgi Pantsulaia FW 2023 13 3
Pre-season friendlies
Competitions Overview
Erovnuli Liga
Results summary
Results by round
Results
League table
Super Cup
Georgian Cup
UEFA Europa Conference League
1st qualifying round
2nd qualifying round
Statistics Goalscorers PlacePositionNationNumberNameErovnuli LigaGeorgian CupSuper CupUEFA Europa Conference LeagueTotal1 FW8 Giorgi Arabidze14––2162 MF20 Irakli Bugridze 8––2103 FW10 Nikola Ninković 5–––5DF27 Lasha Shergelashvili 5–––5FW14 Giorgi Pantsulaia32––56 FW14 Nika Kacharava 3–––37FW39 Mauro Caballero 2–––2FW9 Francois Ekongolo 2–––2FW35 Davit Imedadze 2–––2MF10 Giorgi Kukhianidze2–––2DF16 Nika Sandokhadze1––1212DF4Anri Chichinadze1–––1DF38 Kayke David 1–––1 MF7 Merab Gigauri0––11DF15 Giorgi Kobuladze 1–––1 MF13 Giuli Manjgaladze1–––1DF3 Pedro Monteiro 1–––1MF5 Tsotne Nadaraia 1–––1Own goal21––3TOTAL553–664
Clean sheets PlacePositionNationNumberNameErovnuli LigaGeorgian CupSuper CupUEFA Europa Conference LeagueTotal1 GK31Filip Kljajic6–2082 GK 1Oto Goshadze61––73 GK30Roin Kvaskhvadze4–––4TOTAL1612019
Red cards PositionNationNumberNameErovnuli LigaGeorgian CupSuper CupUEFA Europa Conference LeagueTotalDF22Giorgi Mchedlishvili20002DF27Lasha Shergelashvili01001 MF7Merab Gigauri10001 DF16Nika Sandokhadze00011TOTAL31015
Awards At the end of this season, the Erovnuli Liga named Giorgi Arabidze as midfielder of the year and included him and Lasha Shergelashvili in Team of the Year at its annual ceremony.
Several members of Torpedo were also recognized during the season. DateNationalityWinnerAward1st quarter of the YearPedro MonteiroTeam of the 1st quarter1st quarter of the YearRoin KvaskhvadzeTeam of the 1st quarter 3rd quarter of the YearGiorgi ArabidzeTeam of the 3rd quarter3rd quarter of the YearLasha ShergelashviliTeam of the 3rd quarter4th quarter of the YearFilip Kljajic Team of the 4th quarter4th quarter of the YearLasha ShergelashviliTeam of the 4th quarter4th quarter of the YearNika SandokhadzeTeam of the 4th quarter4th quarter of the YearMerab GigauriTeam of the 4th quarter4th quarter of the YearGiorgi ArabidzeTeam of the 4th quarter4th quarter of the YearSteve KeanManager of the 4th quarter
References