According to reports from Scotland, Latvia international Deniss Meļņiks is set to continue his career abroad, with the FK Auda defender expected to join Scottish Premiership club Falkirk FC in the near future.
The 23-year-old has been a key player for Auda since joining the club ahead of the 2023 season. Since then, Meļņiks has made 104 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals. This season he has featured in 15 Virslīga matches for Didier Zanetti’s side, which currently sits third in the league table. Primarily a central defender, Meļņiks is also capable of operating as a defensive midfielder.
Meļņiks spent part of his youth career in the academy system of Italian club Torino before returning to Latvia in 2021 to join Spartaks Jūrmala. After two strong seasons with the club, he earned a move to Auda. During his time there, he also spent half a season on loan at Riga FC, although opportunities were limited.
The defender has made 11 appearances for the Latvian national team and is a two-time Latvian Cup winner, lifting the trophy with Riga FC and again with Auda last season.
If completed, the move would see Meļņiks join one of Scottish football’s most historic clubs. Falkirk are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year and enjoyed an impressive return season in the Scottish Premiership, finishing sixth after ending a 15-year absence from the top flight. The club’s rise has been remarkable, having played in Scotland’s third tier as recently as two seasons ago.
For now, Meļņiks is with the Latvian national team. Latvia’s next match comes on Saturday when Paolo Nicolato’s side face Lithuania in the Baltic Cup semi-final at Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas.
