Tetradze returns to Alania

Omari Tetradze has returned for a second spell at FC Alania Vladikavkaz after cancelling his contract with FC PAOK Thessaloniki last month.

Three-year-deal
The 32-year-old Georgian-born Russian has signed a three-year contract, after falling out with PAOK coach Dusan Bajevic. "I have had offers from a number of other clubs," said Tetradze. "I chose Alania because I had a good spell [at the club] between 1995 and 1997. Also I am finally going to live in my native city, Tbilisi, which is relatively near Vladikavkaz."

First stop Dinamo
Tetradze graduated from the prestigious Tbilisi 35 football school in 1987, alongside a host of other Georgian professionals including Shota Arveladze, and joined FC Dinamo Tbilisi the following year. His next stop was FC Ozurgeti Mertskhali before Russian giants Dinamo Moscow signed him in 1992. An outstanding defensive midfield player, Tetradze owns a Greek passport but chose to wear the national shirt of Russia.

Failed to settle in Italy
After a spell with FC Spartak Moscow he moved to Alania, where he helped them win their first and only Vysshaya Liga title in 1995. He attracted the attention of AS Roma but failed to settle in Italy following his 1997 transfer and switched to PAOK in 1999. His commanding presence was a key factor in PAOK's 2001 Greek Cup triumph.