Finidi George

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Personal information
Finidi George
Full name	Finidi George
Date of birth	April 15, 1971 (age 35)
Place of birth	Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height	1.89 m
Nickname	"Finito"
Playing position	Winger
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1989 1990 1991-1993 1994-1996 1997-2000 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	46 (8)
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 46 international matches and scored 8 goals for Nigeria, and played at the Football World Cups in 1994 and 1998. Finidi made his international debut in an african nationas 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. During his time at Ajax he was thought to be the fastest footballer in the world, reportedly able to sprint 100m in under 12 seconds.

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. His chant "Finidi, whoowhoo, Finidi, whoowhoo, he comes from Africa, he drives a big tractor" was voted as the best new football chant by Radio 1. He then moved on to Real Mallorca in Spain.

George retired from playing the game professionally in August 2004.

[edit] Former clubs

1991/92 - Sharks Port Harcourt
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)

	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

	Nigeria squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup
1 Rufai \| 2 Oparaku \| 3 Babayaro \| 4 Kanu \| 5 Okechukwu \| 6 West \| 7 George \| 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