Latvian national team defender Daniels Balodis has signed a contract with Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone F.C. He has signed a deal that will run until the summer of 2026.
The 26-year-old center-back became a free agent after his contract with Latvian champions FC RFS expired. Last week, Scottish media reported that Balodis was close to joining St Johnstone, led by former FK Auda and Riga FC manager Simo Valakari.
Today, the club announced that the contract has been finalized with the former Valmiera FC and FC RFS player.
Balodis expressed his excitement about starting this new chapter of his football career at McDiarmid Park, stating, “I am really happy to get this deal done, and I can’t wait to get started. I look forward to meeting all the fans at the stadium. It will be a wonderful moment to be together.”
He added, “I have experienced the football atmosphere in Scotland, and I’m eager to play in this league. As a defender, my priority is to defend, but I also enjoy helping the team advance up the pitch.”
Regarding head coach Simo Valakari, Balodis said, “The head coach can bring out the best in me. I remember him from before in Latvia, particularly his tactics and management style. He reached out and said exactly what I wanted to hear. He was excited about bringing me here, so I didn’t hesitate to agree.”
Balodis, who will wear the number four jersey for the Perth club, might make his debut on February 1st when they travel to Paisley to face St Mirren F.C. However, it is still uncertain whether he will play, as he was scheduled to fly into Scotland on Friday, but Storm Eowyn disrupted those plans. His ability to play on Saturday will depend on whether he receives the necessary clearance and work permit.
“Unfortunately, Daniels was delayed by the storm,” Valakari reported. “He was supposed to take the first part of the work permit English test on Saturday, but that was canceled. We can’t do anything about it.”
St Johnstone F.C., which won the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup during the 2020/2021 season, currently sits at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, seven points behind the 11th-place team, Kilmarnock.
Source: https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/welcome-daniels-balodis