© EuroFootball.com
Lithuanian U-18 national team member and Panevėžys "Ekranas" youth team player, 17-year-old Vykintas Slivka, joined the youth team of Italian champions Turin's "Juventus" in the first half of July, competing in the "Primavera" championship.
V. Slivka was loaned to the Italian club for one year with the possibility of purchasing the player after a year. The Lithuanian signed a professional athlete contract with "Juventus."
The Lithuanian U-17 national team member is currently preparing for the upcoming "Primavera" championship with the youth team, as well as the youth team championship of Italian clubs. The team will continue their preparation soon in Germany.
The fact that the student of Panevėžys Football Academy coach Linas Niurka ended up in the team of Italian champions was a result of the consistent and long collaboration between "Ekranas" and Italian clubs. In the second half of last year, V. Slivka was part of the "Brescia" youth team, but due to certain circumstances, he did not stay there. He later participated in a trial with FC "Genoa," but due to internal problems within the Italian club, the player returned home. Soon after, the player was invited to a trial with "Juventus," leaving a good impression on the coaching staff of the youth team, leading to an offer for V. Slivka to link his football career with "Juventus." In last year's "Primavera" championship, Turin's "Juventus" were among the leaders, but lost 1-2 to "Roma" in the cup final.
"Juventus" is considered the team with the highest number of fans in Italy, and approximately 170 million international fans. There is also a sizable community of club fans in Lithuania, who are probably quite happy to have a very promising, talented Lithuanian in their favorite club.
