Finidi George

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Personal information
Finidi George
Full name	Finidi George
Date of birth	April 15, 1971 (1971-04-15) (age 37)
Place of birth	Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height	1.91 m
Playing position	Winger
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1989 1990 1991-1993 1993-1996 1996-2000 2000-2001 2001-2003 2003-2004	Calabar Rovers Iwuanyanwu Nationale Sharks Ajax Real Betis Real Mallorca Ipswich Town Real Mallorca	? (?) ? (?) ? (?) 85 (18) 130 (38) 31 (5) 35 (7) 14 (0)
National team²
1992–2002	Nigeria	62 (?)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:23, 5 february 2007 (UTC). ² National team caps and goals correct as of February 5, 2007. * Appearances (Goals)

Finidi George (born April 15, 1971 in Port Harcourt) is a Nigerian former footballer. He played at the Football World Cups in 1994 and 1998. Finidi made his international debut in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in 1991. He provided three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scored one goal in a match the Nigerians won 7-1.

A midfielder, Finidi came to Europe in 1993 to play for Ajax. He also played in England and Spain.

Finidi started to make his name for Ajax, where he played in the same team as Jari Litmanen and other Ajax stars that won the Champions League in 1995. During his time at Ajax he was thought to be among the fastest footballers in the league, reportedly able to sprint 100 m in under 12 seconds.^{[citation needed]}

George Burley signed him for Ipswich Town, where he was an instant fans favourite. He scored 2 goals against Derby in a 3-1 win at Portman Road. However, he failed to make the desired impact, and many fans began to regard him as a flop, due to his large salary, which, combined other large-profile players at the club, was a considerable cause of the club's recent financial troubles. He then moved on to Real Mallorca in Spain.

Finidi's younger brother Iginaware who played for Rangers International football club of Enugu was tragically killed during crowd problems after a match with an opposing team (bitter rival) from Western Nigeria.

George retired from playing the game professionally in August 2004.

[edit] Former clubs

1991/92 - Sharks F.C.
1992/93 - Calabar Rovers
1993/94 - Ajax (27/4)
1994/95 - Ajax (30/8)
1995/96 - Ajax (29/6)
1996/97 - Real Betis (36/10)
1997/98 - Real Betis (34/9)
1998/99 - Real Betis (36/11)
1999/00 - Real Betis (24/8)
2000/01 - RCD Mallorca (31/5)
2001/02 - Ipswich Town (25/6)
2002/03 - Ipswich Town (10/1)
2003/04 - Real Mallorca (14/0)

v • d • e Nigeria squad - 1994 FIFA World Cup

1 Rufai • 2 Eguavoen • 3 Iroha • 4 Keshi • 5 Okechukwu • 6 Nwanu • 7 George • 8 Oliha • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Amuneke • 12 Siasia • 13 Ezeugo • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Agu • 17 Ikpeba • 18 Ekoku • 19 Emenalo • 20 Okafor • 21 Adepoju • 22 Agbonavbare • Coach: Westerhof

v • d • e Nigeria squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup

1 Rufai • 2 Oparaku • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Uche • 6 West • 7 Finidi • 8 Adepoju • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 W. Okpara • 13 Babangida • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Okafor • 17 Eguavoen • 18 Oruma • 19 Iroha • 20 Ikpeba • 21 G. Okpara • 22 Baruwa • Coach: Milutinović