---
title: "Žalgiris look to 1.98m ex-Tiraspol defender Petar Lela amid injury crisis"
date: 2025-06-12T07:46:35Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/zalgiris-turn-to-1-98m-ex-tiraspol-defender-petar-lela-amid-injury-crisis/
categories: ["Toplyga", "Transfers"]
---

# Žalgiris look to 1.98m ex-Tiraspol defender Petar Lela amid injury crisis
![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ee25821f-3d5e-4464-8d66-d79f7117d5b5.webp?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)Photo: IMAGO/foto2press

**With Younn Zahary sidelined by injury, FK Žalgiris are looking to shore up their defence with experienced Croatian centre-back Petar Lela, who is currently a free agent after a stint in Germany’s fourth tier.**

According to our sources, the Lithuanian champions FK Žalgiris have their eye on a Croatian centre-back **Petar Lela**. The 31-year-old free agent is expected to provide cover for Younn Zahary, who has been sidelined since early May with an injury. Lela last featured for German fourth-tier club 1.FC Düren as a starting central defender.

Lela is currently a free agent, having last played for German 4th tier side 1.FC Düren, where he was a starting XI player. The 1,98m tall centre-back had a long career with a number of clubs in his native Croatia, Germany and Moldova, where he distinguished himself with a single appearance for the regional powerhouse Sheriff Tiraspol a decade ago.

While there is no official confirmation yet, sources close to the matter indicate that Žalgiris are considering the services of Petar Lela and see him as a viable option to strengthen the squad. Žalgiris are also in the market for a striker, a defensive midfielder, and a left winger in the summer transfer window as the fluttering Champions seek reinforcements ahead of Champions League qualifiers and make a last ditch effort to recover what is turning out to be a disastrous 2025 A Lyga campaign.