Georgian basketball player Tornike Shengelia joins Virtus Bologna after leaving CSKA Moscow
Shengelia highlighted that competing for the Georgian national team has always been “the biggest honour” of his career. Photo: Tornike Shengelia/Facebook
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Tornike Shengelia, the Georgian national basketball team captain, has officially joined Italy’s Virtus Segafredo Bologna after leaving the Russian army club CSKA Moscow amid the country's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine.
Shengelia said in a video message he was “very excited” about his transfer and noted he was looking forward to playing with his new team.
TOKO È QUI E HA UN MESSAGGIO PER VOI!
— Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@Virtusbo) March 8, 2022
“Ciao bianconeri ⚪️⚫️
Sono davvero entusiasta di essere qui, grazie per le migliaia di messaggi. Non vedo l’ora di iniziare a giocare per voi!” ???? @TokoShengelia23 #thisisVirtus #thisisUs #WelcomeToko pic.twitter.com/GRWx5laBkx
"It's unfortunate that the reason for my departure is not related to basketball but in life, you have to make choices and this was my decision,” Shengelia wrote on his Facebook page.
The 30-year old power forward further highlighted that competing for the Georgian national team has always been “the biggest honour” of his career.
Founded in 1929, Virtus Segafredo Bologna is the oldest basketball club in Italy.