Latvian second-tier club Riga Mariners have moved decisively in the transfer market following a disappointing end to last season, when they narrowly missed out on the Nākotnes līga title and promotion to the 2026 Virslīga. The club have now reinforced their squad with the signings of two former Latvia national team players.
One of the key additions is Elvis Stuglis, who has earned 10 caps for the Latvia national team and made 263 appearances in the Virslīga. The 32-year-old centre-back spent the past five seasons with FC RFS. A highly decorated defender, Stuglis is an eight-time Virslīga champion, having won the title with FK Spartaks Jūrmala (2016, 2017), Riga FC (2018, 2019, 2020), and FC RFS (2021, 2023, 2024). He will now aim to help Riga Mariners secure a return to Latvia’s top flight.
Joining him is a player who achieved promotion last season: Krišs Kārkliņš, formerly of Ogre United. The 29-year-old full-back, who has made 17 appearances for the Latvia national team, was one of the leaders of Ogre Mariners last season, playing 23 matches in the Nākotnes līga and helping the club win the league title.
Kārkliņš has made 189 Virslīga appearances and has been crowned Virslīga champion twice, with FK Liepāja and Riga FC. Over the course of his career, he has represented Ogre United, FK Liepāja, Riga FC, Valmiera FC, and FK Auda.
