Retired Nigerian footballer Finidi George who played as a right winger was born on April 15, 1971 in Port Harcourt. He represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups, 1994 and 1998. Finidi made his debut for Nigeria in 1991, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso, providing three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scoring once in a 7–1 win.
He was a leading figure in Ajax, a team which won eight major titles, including the 1995 Champions League. He played several years in Spain with Real Betis, also having a brief spell in England before retiring.
After Betis’ 2000 top flight relegation, Finidi stayed one more year in Spain with RCD Mallorca, after which he joined Premier League team Ipswich Town, managed by George Burley, for £3.1 million. He scored twice in a 3–1 win against Derby County at Portman Road but under-performed overall, with them also suffering relegation; he was released from contract in June 2003.
READ: Rashidi Yekini (Late) Biography
In November 2003, Finidi underwent a trial at former club Mallorca, following which he signed with the Balearic Islands team, helping them finally finish in 11th position after constantly battling relegation. He retired from the game in the summer.
In mid-November 2010, Finidi returned to Betis as its director of international football. He continued, however, to live in Palma, Majorca, where he had relocated to after his retirement.
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His brothers Iginaware and Celestine, were also footballers, and Iginaware was killed during crowd problems in a match.
