Vilnius football club “Žalgiris” green and white outfit has already been fashioned by the team's newcomer Marius Žaliūkas who has no doubt that returning to his homeland is not a step back. Having played in the United Kingdom for almost a decade, the defender felt homesick, and given the circumstances, he quickly decided to return to the strongest Lithuanian football team, Vilnius “Žalgiris”. “I received offers from foreign clubs. There were offers from England and from other distant countries. I didn't even consider the latter. Nine years spent abroad tired me out a little. I didn't want to torture myself because I know I will be happy in Lithuania. I've been here for some time now and I am very happy about it,” said M. Žaliūkas on Thursday, just an hour before his debut in the team's match with Suwałki's “Wigry”. The 32-year-old footballer is one of the most experienced players in the team, but the athlete himself does not hide the fact that past merits are not an indicator determining the number of minutes he spends on the field. “My goal is to start playing in the main squad and help fight for victories. I know most of my teammates from before. I hope it will be reflected in our mutual understanding and trust,” said the defender. “Returning to the Lithuanian championship should not be surprising for the newcomer of “Žalgiris”. In recent years, the footballer has been closely watching the country's championship battles and the activities of his new club: “It's nice here because you can just enjoy football. The conditions at “Žalgiris” can be called top class.” The player's former teammate in the Lithuanian national team, Deividas Šemberas, also gave him extra optimism. The former “Žalgiris” player who ended his career in Vilnius “Žalgiris” took over the steering wheel of the A league and has already started his first tasks in the president's post. “He is a suitable person, so the Lithuanian championship will definitely improve,” M. Žaliūkas commented on the former “Žalgiris” player. With just over 2 weeks left until the start of the new season, the defender is not worried about his athletic form. He is confident that he will be ready for the first official matches. On February 28, Vilnius “Žalgiris” will face “Trakai” team in the LFF Super Cup final, a trophy that the Vilnius team has not relinquished since 2013.
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