The Georgian goalkeeper factory
Georgia has become football’s most reliable producer of elite goalkeepers. Giorgi Mamardashvili’s journey from Dinamo Tbilisi to Valencia to Liverpool for EUR 35 million put Georgian goalkeeping on the map. Giorgi Loria anchored the national team. Now, the next generation is emerging.
L. Kharatishvili is a 22-year-old goalkeeper from Pardubice in the Czech First League. His contract has expired. He is a free agent. And his UV score of 99 suggests he may be the most undervalued goalkeeper currently available in the market.
The profile
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Position | GK |
| Age | 22 |
| Nationality | Georgia |
| Club | Pardubice |
| League | Czech First League |
| OVR | 72 |
| Foot | Left |
| UV Score | 99 |
| Deal Score | 64 |
| Contract Status | Expired |
A 72 OVR for a 22-year-old goalkeeper in a competitive European league is a strong baseline. Goalkeepers typically peak between 27 and 31, which means Kharatishvili has five to nine years of development before reaching his prime. Signing him now, at zero cost, means a club can shape his growth and benefit from his entire peak period.
The fact that he is left-footed adds value. Left-footed goalkeepers are relatively rare, and their distribution offers different angles that can be advantageous in build-up play.
Why the Czech First League matters
The Czech First League is a solid developmental environment for goalkeepers. It offers regular competitive action, a physical style of play that tests shot-stopping and aerial ability, and enough tactical sophistication to prepare players for stronger leagues. Petr Cech emerged from the Czech system. Many others have used it as a stepping stone.
Kharatishvili’s 72 OVR in this context is meaningful. It indicates he has already adapted to the demands of professional first-team football, not just youth or reserve level.
The data case
The UV score of 99 is the headline number. It means the skouted.ai model has determined that Kharatishvili’s actual performances significantly exceed his market valuation of EUR 320,000 to EUR 520,000. For context, goalkeepers with similar OVR ratings in top-five leagues are typically valued at EUR 5 million or more.
The gap between his actual value and his market price is enormous. And since his contract has expired, there is no transfer fee to bridge that gap. A club signs him for free and immediately holds an asset worth significantly more than what they paid.
The Mamardashvili comparison
The comparison is inevitable, so let us address it. Mamardashvili was 21 when he moved to Valencia. He had an OVR in the mid-70s and was playing in a stronger league. Kharatishvili is 22 with a 72 OVR in a smaller league. The trajectories are not identical.
But the principle is the same. Georgian goalkeepers share technical characteristics: strong reflexes, good positioning, and composure in one-on-one situations. The goalkeeping school in Georgia emphasizes fundamentals and mental toughness. Kharatishvili has come through that system.
Who should sign him?
Clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria should be first in line. A free transfer for a 22-year-old goalkeeper with a 72 OVR and a 99 UV score is exceptional value. Even larger clubs looking for a competent backup or a developmental project should consider Kharatishvili.
For a club like Union SG, Club Brugge, Ajax, or Red Bull Salzburg, this is exactly the profile of signing that fits their recruitment model: young, undervalued, available at minimal cost, and with significant resale potential.
AI Verdict: Strong Buy
A 22-year-old goalkeeper with a 99 UV score, available for free, from a nation that produces elite goalkeepers. The data points clearly to one of the best value opportunities in the goalkeeper market this summer.
View full profile and AI-powered transfer intelligence at skouted.ai