Quick Facts
Biography
Jano Ananidze (Georgian: ჯანო ანანიძე; born 10 October 1992 in Kobuleti) is a Georgian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League.
Club career
Spartak Moscow
Ananidze appeared in FC Spartak colours in spring of 2009, initially playing for its junior's team, scoring four goals in twelve games. During the midseason break Valery Karpin moved Ananidze from juniors into the main team, then on a training tour in Austria. Ananidze debuted in Russian Cup on 15 July 2009, scoring a goal against first division Krasnodar. On 1 August 2009 Ananidze debuted in regular Russian Premier League 2009 championship, substituting Alex in the 69th minute of the game.
On 18 October 2009, he became the youngest player ever to score a goal in the Russian Premier League (he scored for Spartak Moscow against Lokomotiv Moscow when he was 17 years and 8 days old).
After a successful ending of his debut season, Jano was on the radar of Arsenal and Liverpool. But the rumours were later denied by Spartak Moscow sporting director Dmitri Popov, who insisted the club would not listen to offers until Ananidze was at least in his 20s.
In September 2012, before the 2014 World Cup qualification match against Spain, Iker Casillas named Ananidze as one of the key players of the Georgia national football team alongside the keeper Giorgi Loria.
FC Rostov
On 3 July 2013 he went on a one-year loan to FC Rostov.
International career
In March 2009 UEFA web site listed Ananidze as one of three "key players" of Georgian U-17 team along with Nika Dzalamidze and Irakli Shekiladze. In July 2009 Ananidze received and accepted Héctor Cúper's invitation into Georgian national team. Ananidze told Russian media "don't worry about me. I made my choice. I am a Georgian and I will play for my country." (Russian: "переживать не стоит. Я сделал свой выбор. Я грузин и буду играть за сборную своей страны").
Nowadays, Jano is a crucial player for Georgia U-21 side, with which he has scored his first international goal on 3 March 2010, against Estonia U-21. He made his debut for Georgia in a 0-2 home defeat by Italy on 5 September 2009. He scored his first goal against Slovenia in Koper on 17 November 2010. Then he scored against Moldova from the penalty spot and Georgia won this match 2-0 on 11 November 2011.
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Spartak Moscow | 2009 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
| 2011–12 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 2 | |
| 2012–13 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2014–15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 5 | |
| Total | 108 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 123 | 16 | |
| Rostov (loan) | 2013–14 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
| Total | 22 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| Career total | 130 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 148 | 21 | |
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 17 November 2010 | Bonifika Stadium, Koper, Slovenia |  Slovenia | 1–2 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 2. | 11 November 2011 | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia |  Moldova | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 3. | 5 March 2014 | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia |  Liechtenstein | 2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 4. | 5 September 2016 | Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia |  Austria | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5. | 28 March 2017 | Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia |  Latvia | 1–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
| 6. | 4–0 |
Honors
- Russian Premier League (1): 2016–17
- Russian Cup (1): 2013–14