FK Kauno Žalgiris have officially parted ways with Divine Naah, the longest-serving foreign player in the club’s history, following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Naah first arrived in Kaunas in the summer of 2021 and, with a brief break in between, spent five seasons with the green-and-white side. During that time, he made more than 130 appearances for the club.
The Ghanaian midfielder also became the first – and so far the only – foreign player to reach over 100 matches for Kauno Žalgiris.
“I think it was an amazing period. When I arrived five years ago compared to where the club is now… it’s a huge difference,” Naah said in his farewell remarks. “The team has grown a lot. Everything changed with time: the staff grew, a new president arrived, the locker room and club management changed. All of that brings results. Back then we were just participating, and now we’re fighting for titles.”
The 29-year-old helped Kauno Žalgiris win the Lithuanian league title, the first trophy of his professional career.
“This season is unforgettable because of the title and our European journey,” the midfielder added. “Winning a trophy is really difficult. I told the guys that in the locker room. To finally win one after spending so many years here… it’s an incredible feeling. I’d say that when we played in the European qualifiers, that’s when our confidence really exploded and we started to believe we could become champions.”
Naah now begins the search for a new club, having spent a significant portion of his career in Kaunas.
“To be honest, it’s hard to say goodbye,” he admitted. “Kaunas became home for me. I spent almost half of my career here. It’s difficult because you don’t know where you’ll end up next. This club gave me everything and took care of me, even though there were plenty of issues before I started playing. They were patient, and I’m very grateful for that.”
In his final interview, Naah revealed he intends to return to Lithuania in the future and hopes Kauno Žalgiris supporters will remember him fondly.
“I’ll definitely come back to Lithuania for holidays. The connections and relationships I built here won’t disappear. You’ll see me here again, I love this place. I hope people will remember me as a fighter who always wanted to win and as someone with a good character. I always tried to make those around me feel good. You don’t see that publicly, but in the locker room I always tried to help everyone.”
Kauno Žalgiris thanked Naah for his years of commitment to the club and wished him the very best in the next chapter of his career.
Source: https://zalgiris.lt/naujienos/ilgiausiai-klubo-istorijoje-zaides-legionierius-d-naah-atsisveikino-su-fk-kauno-zalgiriu
