Lithuania international defender Edgaras Utkus made his debut in the Saudi Arabian top division, playing the full 90 minutes as Al-Kholood were held to a goalless draw by Damac.
The 25-year-old centre-back was officially unveiled as an Al-Kholood player just days earlier, completing a transfer from Belgian top-flight side Cercle Brugge for a reported fee of €1.2 million. The move to Middle East will also make Utkus the highest-paid Lithuanian footballer.
In today’s clash between two teams from the lower half of the Saudi Pro League standings, Al-Kholood entered the match with a four-point advantage over Damac. Starting at centre-back, Utkus partnered Suriname international Shaquille Pinas, with the defensive pairing successfully keeping a clean sheet as neither side managed to score.
Following the draw, Al-Kholood remain 14th in the table with 16 points from 19 matches in the 18-team league.
Utkus could face a high-profile test in his next outing, as Al-Kholood host Al Shabab on Saturday. The visitors are captained by Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco, the former Atlético Madrid standout now in his third season with the Riyadh-based club.
