Vykintas Slivka says he is treating his move to FK Kauno Žalgiris “very seriously” after returning to Lithuanian club football following a lengthy spell overseas.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who came through the Ekranas system in Panevėžys before leaving for Italy as a teenager, has joined the TOPLYGA champions and has already made his first appearance for the club. Slivka came off the bench in Kauno Žalgiris’ UEFA Champions League qualifier against Kosovo side Drita.
“I don’t know if it can be called a return because I never made my debut in the Lithuanian league,” Slivka said. “It’s great that this opportunity came up. I’m coming to a champion team with big ambitions in Lithuania and in Europe.”
Slivka said the decision was shaped by family considerations and a desire to be back in European football after spending recent years in Japan.
“The chance to come back to Lithuania only came now, so I’m taking it,” he said. “The last years were in Japan and I really missed Europe. I got an offer from Kauno Žalgiris and we discussed it as a family. The children are at the age when they have to start school, so it was unavoidable.”
He also warned that he is not expecting a straightforward transition into the Toplyga, arriving mid-season as the club adapts after coaching changes.
“I look at this league very seriously,” Slivka said. “I think it’s a strong league and it won’t be easy. I’m coming in the middle of the season, the coaches have changed and it’s not the best moment. I’m lacking physical preparation and I need to get to know my team-mates, so there are challenges.”
Slivka has won 74 caps for Lithuania and is sixth on the country’s all-time appearance list, although he last featured for the national team in 2025. He said playing back in Europe could help his chances of a return.
“One of the reasons to come back to Europe was the Lithuania national team,” he added. “I don’t think about it too much, but the thought of returning is in my head. It will depend on how I play and what shape I’m in, and then we’ll see.”
Source: https://zalgiris.lt/naujienos/futbolininkas-v-slivka-i-sugrizima-i-lietuva-ziuriu-labai-rimtai
