Liverpool have secured their first signing of the summer with the agreement of a £29.6m deal to sign Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. The 23-year-old is set to undergo a medical today, finalizing a move that will see him join the Reds next summer after spending one more season in La Liga.
The agreement sees Liverpool paying €30 million upfront, with an additional €5 million in performance-based add-ons. Despite the deal being signed now, Mamardashvili will remain at Valencia on loan for the 2024/25 season, ensuring the Spanish club has time to integrate their newly signed North Macedonian goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, who joined from Rayo Vallecano earlier this summer.
Mamardashvili, often referred to as the “Georgian Wall,” has been a standout performer for Valencia, particularly in the 2023/24 La Liga season, where he kept 13 clean sheets in 37 appearances. His exceptional shot-stopping abilities were further highlighted during the European Championship, where he starred for Georgia, leading them to the round of 16 before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain. His performance included a record-equaling 21 saves in the group stage, making him one of the tournament’s top goalkeepers.
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Liverpool’s current No. 1, Alisson Becker, is set to remain the club’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper until at least 2027, when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher, who has served as Alisson’s backup, is under contract until 2026. Mamardashvili is expected to challenge for a starting position at Anfield once he arrives next summer, bringing additional competition to the goalkeeping ranks.
The decision to loan Mamardashvili back to Valencia allows the Georgian goalkeeper to gain further experience in La Liga, where he has already established himself as one of the league’s top performers. By the time he joins Liverpool, he will be more than ready to compete at the highest level of the Premier League.
Liverpool’s interest in Mamardashvili stems from his impressive performances over the last few seasons. He has become a key figure for Valencia, with his saves preventing around 10 goals more than the average goalkeeper would be expected to concede, based on expected goals (xG). This makes him the most impressive goalkeeper in La Liga since Jan Oblak’s standout 2020/21 season with Atletico Madrid.
The Reds have been monitoring Mamardashvili for some time, recognizing his potential to become one of Europe’s top goalkeepers. His agility, shot-stopping ability, and commanding presence in the box make him an ideal candidate to eventually take over from Alisson.
As Mamardashvili prepares to undergo his medical today, Liverpool fans can look forward to the arrival of a goalkeeper who has the potential to become a future star at Anfield. For now, he will continue to develop his game at Valencia, knowing that a bright future awaits him in the Premier League.
