By Titas Teiten
At just 16 years old, Lukas Klišys made a bold move: leaving Lithuania and his hometown club behind to join Genoa in Italy, in pursuit of new opportunities and a potential career in one of Europe’s most competitive football leagues. Now 18, Klišys has not only secured his place in Genoa’s youth team but has also emerged as one of the standout center-backs in Italy’s Primavera division.
He has yet to receive his long-awaited call-up to Genoa’s Serie A squad, but that moment may arrive sooner than expected. Regardless of the timeline, the young defender is already regarded as one of Lithuania’s most promising centre-backs, with a future that looks increasingly bright.
On September 29, we sat down with Lukas to talk about his journey in Italy, the challenges he has faced, the progress he has made, and what lies ahead for one of Lithuania’s rising football talents.
First steps and love for football
How did your football journey begin? How old were you when you first really started playing and going to training?
It all started when I was about three and a half years old. My dad took me to my first training session. Everyone else was about two or three years older than me. I don’t really remember it myself, but my dad used to tell me that whenever someone took the ball away from me, I would start crying and never wanted to give it up. After that, I ended up training for a long time in my dad’s team (Lukas’s father is a coach). Later, the football school was shut down, so I moved to BFA (Baltijos Futbolo Akademija).
Did you have a favorite footballer you looked up to as a kid?
Luka Modrić. Back then I played as an attacking midfielder. I always liked him: his passing, his dedication. Everything about him appealed to me. I would always watch and follow him.
Until what age did you play as an attacking midfielder?
Until I joined BFA, so around 13-14 years old.
Was there a reason you chose BFA instead of another academy in Vilnius?
It just happened naturally. Our entire football school that closed down moved together to BFA.
Establishing in Lithuania and moving to Italy
When did you first feel that you had reached a level in Lithuania where it was time to look for challenges abroad?
The opportunity to move abroad came very suddenly. Already at 14, I understood it was better not to stay in Lithuania for too long, better to pack my bags and play in another country. I felt that in my position I was one of the best in Lithuania, so leaving seemed logical.
How did the whole transfer process to Italy happen? Was it a surprise, or had there been talks about it before?
First, I was invited to several trials. At the time there were problems with Covid, vaccination and health passes. Still, my agent invited me to a tournament that gathered many players from around the world, and scouts from various clubs were there as well. I played well in that tournament and was invited for trials. At first, I went for a trial with Inter Milan, and Juventus also wanted to test me. Unfortunately, while training with Inter I got injured and had to return home. Later, Genoa called my agent and immediately offered a contract, without a trial. I didn’t even think twice, I just wanted to go, and later I signed the contract.
Did you have offers from other countries or clubs?
I’d say they were more like trials than actual offers. Sometimes clubs like you, sometimes they don’t. I don’t really remember any interest from other countries. My agent would know more about that.
Why did you ultimately choose Genoa?
Honestly, it’s one of the best academies in Italy, and a very good one globally as well. They develop a lot of young players, and the biggest plus is that they really invest in youth. For example, right now I play for the U-20 team, and the next step is either a loan to a Serie B, Serie C club or straight into the first team.
How much did your family’s opinion and support affect your decision to leave?
Of course, personally I wanted to go right away. But my dad thought for a long time about whether it was really worth it. He definitely wanted me to go, but the initial conditions were a bit disappointing. Signing the contract wasn’t easy, the whole process took about eight hours. But honestly, from the very first training session in Italy, I knew I wanted to stay. I didn’t think about anything else.
You mentioned the initial conditions were not great. What do you mean?
I can’t give specifics, but there weren’t financial issues. It was more about small details that made us hesitate at first.
First impressions in Italy and adaptation
What were your first impressions when you joined Genoa’s academy?
When I arrived, I had a week off. Then came the first training session. After just the warm-up, I was completely out of breath. I thought: why did I even come here? I couldn’t understand anything that was going on. The game speed was shockingly different. Not long ago I was one of the best in Lithuania, and then I came to Genoa and saw that the speed was on a completely different level. And this was only the U-16 training! At that point, I couldn’t even imagine reaching the first team. Even getting into the U-20s seemed tough. But in general, I liked it, because I realized I could really improve and achieve a lot here.
How is football in Italy different from Lithuania in terms of training, infrastructure, mentality?
Everything is different, honestly. Simple things: at Genoa, you get a full schedule: when to see the doctor, everything. If you feel pain, you report it, and they examine you immediately, even sending you for X-rays or MRIs if needed. It all happens fast and smoothly. Training is at a completely different pace too. We have 7 or 8 coaches. In Lithuania, at best, you’ll have two. The mentality is also different. It’s not just about being the best. Here it’s about defending your club, the club always comes first. The whole organization is top-level. You arrive and everything’s ready on the bench: clothes, equipment. After training you hand it back. All you really need to bring yourself are boots and sandals.
How did you adapt with the language, lifestyle, culture?
The adaptation wasn’t too hard. Some things were confusing at first, like how salaries worked, but I quickly got used to my team. With the language, after six months I could understand most of what people were saying, and after about a year and a half I was speaking Italian pretty well. Now I’m fully used to life here and have no problems.
Did anything about Italian culture surprise you: food, people, atmosphere?
I have a cousin in Milan, so I had visited many times before. What surprised me most was that they eat pasta every single day. In Lithuania, the first dish is usually soup, and the second is something like cutlets. In Italy, the first dish is always pasta, and the second is meat with salad. At first, it was a bit difficult, but now I’m used to it.
Why do you think so many young Lithuanian players choose Italy nowadays? Coincidence or something more?
I think there are many good players in Lithuania. The biggest issue is mentality. Many players in Lithuania get their first salary and already think they’re accomplished footballers, when in reality it’s just the bare minimum you can achieve. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to get abroad, but once you’re invited to a trial you need to give it everything, play as if it’s your last chance. As for Italy, they invest heavily in youth. Why so many Lithuanians here? I don’t know exactly, but in general there are a lot of foreigners.
Do you keep in close contact with other Lithuanian players in Italy?
Of course, my teammate Ernestas (Lysionok) and Adrian Lickūnas (Cremonese). With Adrian, We played together before, we chat a lot now, and we’re planning to meet in November. We definitely keep in good touch.
Professional contract and connection with the first team
You signed your professional contract three years ago. What did that mean to you personally?
At first, I didn’t even fully realize what it meant. I wasn’t really thinking about it, because the main impression was that I had moved abroad. Playing for an Italian club already meant a lot, but once I saw I was actually earning money from it, I understood this was truly my job. It was what I wanted and worked for.
What’s your connection with the first team? How often do you train, what kind of support do you get?
My first training session with them was last September. The impression was amazing. They had just played against Inter Milan, and then I was training with them. Everyone was very friendly. They came up, greeted me, asked my name. Now from time to time I get called up to train with the first team, about twice a week. The connection is quite close: doctors and staff from the first team often come to work with us, and even the first-team coaches know almost everything about us.
How is your relationship with your Lithuanian teammate Ernestas Lysionok? Does his example, like recently being called up to the first team, motivate you?
We spend a lot of time together here. He’s definitely someone you can joke around with. I wish him all the best, he’s a great guy, and I hope he makes his first-team debut soon.
When do you expect to be called up to the first team yourself?
I hope this season. Maybe even make my debut, honestly.
What impression does head coach and football legend Patrick Vieira make on you? Do you get personal advice from him?
When they announced he would coach Genoa, about a week later I was already training with the first team. He came up to me, greeted me, asked how I was doing and what my name was. That really impressed me, he’s such a kind person. The previous coach didn’t talk as much as Vieira does. If I make a mistake, he comes over and explains how to do it better, how to position myself, how to move, what not to do. When I played a friendly with the first team, I played one half and he came afterwards to explain what I could improve, giving constructive advice in a very encouraging way.
The Primavera season and youth football in Italy
This season you’ve started impressively: second place in the table, tied on points with the leader after six matches. What do you think explains this start?
Last season we finished 11th. We actually could have done better, but we lost a few important matches and couldn’t fight for the playoffs. This year, I think the biggest factor is that we’ve known each other for a long time. We’ve trained together consistently. That’s very important. Another factor is the coaches’ work. Seeing the preparation we did before the season, I think we really deserved such a strong start.
Are you already used to the training rhythm? Are the difficulties you had before gone?
Yes, they’re gone, it was only a matter of time. Now I walk around calmly (smiles). I wouldn’t say I can do whatever I want, but everything is clearer. I speak confidently with coaches, doctors, and it all shows on the pitch.
Does the level of Primavera teams usually reflect the strength of their senior teams, or are there cases where youth teams dominate while the Serie A club is mid-table?
That definitely happens. For example, Sassuolo’s Primavera team was among the top four last season, while their senior team wasn’t even competing in Serie A. The senior team doesn’t necessarily reflect the youth team’s level. Overall, this year’s Primavera division is very competitive, every team wants to win. Just yesterday we played Cagliari, it was a very tough match, ended in a draw. Every game is hard, and every player wants to show themselves in hopes of making the first team.
You personally have also started the season well. You haven’t missed a single minute, and you even scored against Roma. Did you expect such a start?
I definitely expected to play every game, but I didn’t expect to score a goal. In general, my plan is to play as much as possible and show myself, so I can get into the first team.
What goals have you set for yourself this season?
My main goal is to break into the first team. If not, then to go on loan to a Serie B or Serie C club where I can play senior football, and then come back to try again for Genoa’s first team.
Future plans
Your contract runs until 2027. Do you already think about the future?
In the past, I used to just think simply about the present. But now I sometimes wonder: What’s next? What should I do? Of course, those thoughts come sometimes, but I try not to focus too much on it. I just want to do my job. Whatever happens, happens. What I can control is what I do on and off the pitch.
Have you received interest from other clubs?
Last winter, Juventus made me an offer. They offered much more money, but I decided to stay because changing environments seemed too hard. My agent also mentioned there was interest from abroad, but he didn’t tell me specifics.
What exactly was Juventus’ offer?
I didn’t talk to them personally. What I understood is they offered twice the money Genoa did. I didn’t look into it too much, because I wanted to stay.
If you could go back, would you still choose Genoa? Are you satisfied with the decision?
Yes, I would definitely stay. If I had to choose 100 times, I would choose Genoa every single time.
Lithuanian national team
You’ve already played for Lithuania’s youth teams. When do you think you could join the senior team?
Honestly, I think I could already be part of the national team. I can’t say for sure what the level there is like, since I haven’t trained much with those players, but I believe I could compete and play.
Do you keep in touch with Edgaras Jankauskas or other national team coaches?
Not personally. My dad has spoken to Edgaras Jankauskas more, since he knows him, but nothing concrete has come of it.
Are there any national team players, in your position or not, that you look up to or would like to play with in the future?
Definitely with Gvidas Gineitis. No doubt about it. We once met at the airport and said hello. He’s a really nice person. I hope we’ll meet in the national team one day, and maybe even play against each other in Serie A.
We thank Lukas for taking the time to share his story, experiences, and insights. Wishing him continued success in Italy’s top-tier and on his journey towards the Lithuanian national team.
