by Mantas Aliukonis
When Jonathan Mulder left Israel as a 13-year-old to settle in the Netherlands, he carried more than just his football boots. He carried two identities — Israeli and Dutch — and the sense that his career would never be bound to one place. Now 23, the 1.89m defender has already tested himself in Lithuania’s A Lyga with FC Hegelmann and is beginning a new chapter in the Czech Republic’s Chance Liga with 1. FC Slovácko, where he has signed a contract until 2028.
Finding his feet in Lithuania
For Mulder, Hegelmann was the first step into the unpredictable world of football abroad. He arrived in Kaunas last year, playing 12 times — 11 of those in the A Lyga — and providing a single assist. But his impact was measured in more than numbers.
“My agent spoke with Hegelmann’s technical director and head coach,” he recalls. “They explained the project, what to expect from Lithuania. The team was competing for Europe, the conditions were good, and the aim was clear — to win medals.”
Mulder’s ambition was bold from the start. “I was sure we could win first place. That’s why I came.”
He grew to appreciate Lithuania’s competitive balance, especially in the domestic cup, where Hegelmann scraped through a difficult tie with second-tier TransInvest. “Even second division teams made it tough,” he says. “But that’s why I liked it — we had to take responsibility to win every single game.”
Off the pitch, Kaunas left a lasting impression. “I liked Vilnius and Kaunas, but I preferred Kaunas more. It felt like home.”
Roots and identity
Mulder’s story is inseparable from his background. He represented Israel at youth level, but his family ties run deep into Dutch soil.
“I grew up in Israel, but when I was 13, I moved to the Netherlands,” he explains. “My father has Dutch roots. So even when I played for Israel’s national team, I thought of myself as Dutch.”
That dual identity gave him perspective when sizing up Lithuanian rivals. Of Kauno Žalgiris, who beat Hegelmann while he was sidelined, Mulder is pragmatic: “They’re doing well so far. I didn’t play in that game, so I was really looking forward to the rematch.”
And on FK Žalgiris? “They haven’t been great this season, but they’re still a strong team.”
Team spirit and leadership
Mulder’s respect for his teammates was evident throughout his time in Kaunas. When asked about Donatas Kazlauskas, who had struggled for form, he was quick to defend him.
“He’s a very good player – the numbers just haven’t come yet. But they will. He’s decisive and experienced.”
He also pointed to the contributions of others: “Klaudijus Upstas gives us experience, Domantas Antanavičius scores penalties, and Vilius Armalas — for me, he’s one of the best in his position in the league. Honestly, he has the potential to play much higher than the A Lyga. We were a complete team this season.”
The international picture
Mulder is clear-eyed when it comes to Lithuania’s chances on the global stage. The national team faces the Netherlands in World Cup qualifying, and the defender doesn’t sugar-coat it.
“I don’t think Lithuania has much chance,” he admits. “But if they won, it would be sensational. The quality of Holland is just higher.”
His admiration for the Dutch setup is obvious. “They play amazing football. Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay — now at Corinthians in Brazil — and so many champions. For me, the Netherlands are the number one prospect for the next World Cup — the favourites to win it.”
Mulder may only have spent a short time in Lithuania, but it was a significant chapter: a proving ground abroad, a chance to reconcile his own footballing identity, and a platform for bigger things. Now, in the Czech top flight with Slovácko, the defender’s journey feels like it is only just beginning.
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