Lithuanian national team striker Gytis Paulauskas has officially completed a move to Jeju SK, a club competing in South Korea’s top division, signing a contract that will keep him on the island for the next two and a half years.
The 26-year-old forward arrives in the K League after an impressive start to the season in Slovakia. Playing for MFK Zemplín Michalovce, Paulauskas scored six goals and provided three assists in 15 league matches.
Jeju SK activated a €300,000 release clause included in the striker’s contract, securing his transfer after negotiations with both the club and the player. Michalovce president confirmed the move prior to the New Year, stating that Paulauskas had already played his final match for the Slovak side and that the buyout clause had been formally executed.
Born in Vilnius, Paulauskas began his professional career in Lithuania before embarking on his journey abroad in 2023, joining Albanian side Egnatia. He subsequently gained experience across several leagues, spending time with Kolos Kovalivka in the Ukrainian Premier League and Dinamo Batumi in Georgia, before signing with Michalovce in the summer of 2025.
At international level, Paulauskas has earned 29 caps for the Lithuanian national team, scoring two goals.
His new club, Jeju SK, are one-time champions of South Korea, having lifted the league title back in 1989. The club has also finished runners-up on several occasions, most recently in 2017. However, recent seasons have been more challenging: Jeju ended the last campaign in 11th place out of 12 teams, retaining their top-flight status only after winning the relegation playoff.
