Georges Mikautadze has received a warm welcome from FC Metz. The club announces his return with the headline: 'The return of the king!'. The number fourteen of the Ligue 1 rents the Georgian from Ajax until the end of the season, where he had little prospect of playing time. Metz has also negotiated a purchase option for a reported ten million euros.

“It was not a goodbye, he is now officially back,” can be read on the Metz website. The club sold Mikautadze to Ajax for sixteen million euros last summer, where he did not perform well. The Georgian kept the bench warm more often than he would have liked and ultimately played 338 minutes, spread over nine games.

“Mikautadze returns to Moselle (the department where Metz is located, ed.), where he will now wear jersey number 10. Much to the delight of FC Metz and its supporters.” The French-born Georgian international made a big impression last season Les Grenats.

In 37 matches in Ligue 2, he managed to score no fewer than 23 times. He was also good for eight assists. With this, the 23-year-old centre-forward made an enormous contribution to Metz's second place, which achieved its big goal: promotion to Ligue 1.

Mikautadze was named the best player and top scorer of France's second level. Several clubs attracted him last summer, but Mikautadze was convinced by Ajax and then director of football affairs Sven Mislintat.

“I'm really happy to come back here,” says Mikautadze. “When I left for Ajax I received a lot of messages and in recent days I have received many more. I want to thank everyone, because all this love means a lot to me. I am very happy to wear the colors of Metz again and I can't wait to get back on the field with this shirt in front of our supporters.”

Metz also recorded a welcome video with Mikautadze. He can be seen walking through the streets of Metz with his hood on. Once he arrives at the appropriate King George Square, he reveals his identity.

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— FC Metz ? (@FCMetz) January 4, 2024

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