FA Šiauliai, who a week ago named Dainis Kazakevičs the new manager, has announced on its website that five key players from last season’s squad have left: Rolandas Baravykas, Simonas Paulius, Donatas Kazlauskas, Simonas Urbys, and Egidijus Vaitkunas.
Rolandas Baravykas returned to Lithuania in the summer of 2023 after spending three years abroad. The 29-year-old defender has earned 35 caps for Lithuania, with his last appearance in 2023 against Greece. During his year and a half with FA Šiauliai, he made 52 appearances and scored two goals.
Another long-time member of the Šiauliai team, veteran midfielder Simonas Paulius, has also left. He had been with the club for three years. Paulius won the Latvian Virslīga and the Latvian Cup twice while playing for FK Ventspils. In three seasons with Šiauliai, he made 95 appearances.
Donatas Kazlauskas, a former Lithuanian international (who last played for the national team in September 2023 against Montenegro), has also departed. The 30-year-old midfielder joined Šiauliai at the beginning of the 2024 season after playing with Žalgiris in Vilnius for two years. Kazlauskas made 24 league appearances this season and contributed to four goals – two goals and two assists.
Simonas Urbys, a 29-year-old forward, joined Šiauliai before the start of the 2023 season. In his two seasons with the club, he made 59 appearances and scored two goals, earning caps for the Lithuanian national team.
Lastly, veteran Egidijus Vaitkunas, a 36-year-old defender who boasts over 60 caps for Lithuania, has left FA Šiauliai. He played for the club for two seasons and made 58 appearances. Vaitkunas is a four-time A Lyga champion with Vilnius Žalgiris and has played over 370 A Lyga matches.
Source: https://siauliufa.lt/