FA" Šiauliai" club was supplemented by the Latvian national team forward

2024-01-22 20:06 © FA Šiauliai

The football academy „Šiauliai“, which started the victorious cycle of control matches last weekend, received another team addition - the 6th newcomer of this preseason became the national team striker of Latvia, Davis Ikaunieks.

Davis, who hails from neighboring Latvia, spent part of his professional football career in the Czech Republic, and the striker comes to Šiauliai from the team FK „Jablonec“, competing in the highest league of that country and participating in the group stage of the „UEFA Europa League“ tournament in the 2018 season.

Davis, who is attack-oriented, began his career in the system of the club „Liepajas Metalurgs“ that was still active at that time. Later, the newcomer of the Šiauliai team moved to the newly established football club „Liepaja“, where he shone brightly in his career. The player became the Latvian champion in the 2015 season, scoring 15 goals and making 3 assists, and was recognized as the most productive player in the highest league of the country.

After successful times in Liepaja, the career of the 6th team newcomer took a turn to the Czech Republic, where he played for the team Jyhlava „Vysočina“ competing in the top division of the country for 2 seasons. In that team, the player played a total of 60 matches, scored 19 goals, and provided 9 assists to his teammates.

Later, the player caught the attention of the „Jablonec“ club, with whom the Latvian signed a 3-year contract. However, the time in Jablonec was quite turbulent for the new member of the Šiauliai team - the club loaned the player to the Czech teams „Fastav“, „Mlada Boleslav“, and the Latvian teams „RFS“ and „Liepaja“. Despite this, in the last stage of his career in the team of Jablonec, the player played a total of 51 matches, scored 3 goals, and made as many assists.

Davis, who became the first Latvian in the history of the „Šiauliai“ team, was also invited to all youth national teams and is currently a member of the Latvian national men's team. The player has worn the national team jersey 44 times and scored 5 goals.

In addition, in 2018 the player was also recognized as the best Latvian football player.

„Well, to be honest, at first I was a little nervous about how my new teammates would accept me, but when I entered through the locker room doors, everyone welcomed me warmly, so the anxiety quickly disappeared, and I was pleasantly surprised. It seems that there is indeed a great atmosphere in the team.

Before joining this team, I only knew Simonas Paulius, because I had the opportunity to compete against him when he was still playing in the Latvian championship. Today, I have already had conversations with several members of this team, all pleasant and friendly, so I think adaptation should not take long.

Speaking about the organization, from the football community itself I have heard really good feedback. I liked its growing goals, ambitions, and results year by year. One of the key details is that there is a good microclimate, which in my opinion is very important. I believe that the future of the academy of the sunny city looks really bright.

My time in the Czech Republic taught me many things - there were good moments, there were worse ones, but regardless, any experience is a good experience. I have grown a lot as a football player because I played in several teams in this country, so I had to get acquainted with the playing philosophies of different coaches.

I don't really like to talk about personal goals at the beginning of the season. I am here to help the team achieve the highest goals, so I will strive for that and prove it to every member of this organization. Everything is achievable step by step, it just requires patience. I hope that the fans will gather to support their city team. Forward, Šiauliai!“,- said the strengthened team member D. Ikaunieks.

The 6th newcomer of the team will wear the jersey marked with number 10 in the upcoming season.