by Harry Brown
Chicago-born, Serbian-American left-back Vukašin Bulatović (25) has recently signed for FK Riteriai in Lithuania’s A Lyga, becoming the leagues only American at this point in time.
He describes the Vilnius move as a reset following a winding route through US college soccer, MLS NEXT Pro and Serbia. After a year and a half with Metalac in the Serbian first league, a brief step up to the SuperLiga with Radnički 1923, and a stint at Dubocica, Bulatović arrived in Vilnius in July 2025 with a goal to settle quickly, get gametime and help Riteriai survive.
Bulatović came through US college soccer pathway and, after a brief tenure with New York II, earnt himself his first professional contract in Serbia, signing for FK Metalac in the second tier. The 25-year-old spent 18 months there before venturing into the Serbian Super Liga with Radnički 1923. He was limited to two appearances for the club before returning to the second tier to sign for Dubocica where he spent seven months until April 2025.
July 2025 brought a fresh start for Bulatović as he was announced by FK Riteriai. “My journey is a little different”, he admits. “I started out in US college football, then moved abroad to play in Serbia, then coming to play in the first division here in Lithuania. I think adapting to where I go has been the most important thing to me”.
In terms of his move to the A Lyga, Bulatović expressed delight to sign for a club like Riteriai: “I thought it was a special moment for me to be able to play for this club. We have fans every game that come and support us, which is fantastic, and we thank them. Just from watching other clubs too, the people in Lithuania have support for their teams and this isn’t just in football, but basketball also.”
Reflecting on what it’s like to play in Lithuania in comparison to the USA, Bulatović said: “Serbia and Lithuania feel similar. College soccer in the US is very different. It’s way harder to play in Lithuania and Serbia than it is in college football.”
Despite FK Riteriai facing off-field existential challenges, he affirms that the dressing room is united: “Yes, there are some financial difficulties within the club, but we are sticking together as a team and staying positive. There is no bad atmosphere. We want to win together as a team.”
FK Riteriai is Bulatović’s first taste of Lithuanian football and he admits he found it difficult when he first came into the division. “The toughest adjustment for me has been understanding the players around me. I came halfway through the season and being able to adapt fast and knowing what the coach wants from as a player and how other players play were the toughest changes.” He also spoke highly of his teammates, “all the guys are fantastic in the dressing room. Everyone is super helpful if I ever needed anything. We truly have great guys on this team.”
Finally, when asked about his goals for the rest of this season, Bulatović was frank: “I want to play the best I possibly can and help us avoid relegation.”
Vukašin Bulatović has a contract with FK Riteriai running till November 30, 2025. He has made six appearances this season since signing in July 2025 and is hoping to keep the struggling Riteriai in the A Lyga after their second division winning campaign last season.
