Vilnius Žalgiris academy graduate Jokūbas Žebrauskas will continue his development at Italian giants Inter Milan after completing his move to the club.
The 16-year-old Lithuanian travelled to Italy a few weeks ago to sign his contract, and after the final international transfer formalities were completed, he was officially registered as an Inter player. Žalgiris will receive a significant compensation fee, believed to be close to a six-figure sum.
Last season, Žebrauskas played for Žalgiris’ U-16 team in Lithuania’s Elite Youth League and was also called up to the Lithuanian U-16 national team. He had already attracted interest from Italy, previously taking part in a trial with Sassuolo.
“An invitation from a club as famous as Inter is recognition for all our academy coaches,” said Žalgiris academy director Žydrūnas Grudzinskas. “It also shows young players that everyone can get a chance in football – they just have to be ready for it.”
Žebrauskas, who joined Žalgiris training at the age of six, admitted that the move is both exciting and challenging.
“Not many footballers from Lithuania move to clubs like this. I will have to work hard and prove that I did not leave for nothing,” he said.
The youngster has already set big goals for himself, including reaching Inter’s first team, earning a Lithuania national team call-up and winning titles.
Žebrauskas becomes the latest Žalgiris academy player to continue his career in Italy, following Motiejus Šapola who now plays for Spezia and Adomas Buikus (Bologna).
Source: https://fkzalgiris.lt/zalgirio-akademijos-aukletinis-keliasi-i-milano-inter/
