© EuroFootball.com
One of the best football players in Lithuania Mantas Kuklys will continue to defend the honor of the new country's champions.
The creative 26-year-old midfielder has extended his contract with the Vilnius city football club "Žalgiris."
Becoming a member of "Žalgiris" in 2012, this player has contributed significantly to all the trophies won by the club in Lithuania this year - the titles of national champions, LFF Cup, and Super Cup, as well as a successful performance in the Europa League.
With powerful long-range shots, dangerous free kicks, and precise passes, the footballer has scored 18 goals and assisted his teammates successfully 15 times in 43 matches.
In the elections for the best football player in Lithuania, M. Kuklys took second place. He was also chosen as the best player of the team by teammates and loyal fans of "Žalgiris." However, his motivation to stay in the green and white ranks is not personal ambitions.
The player is satisfied with the capital's team, its atmosphere, and potential. In making the decision to stay in Vilnius, family well-being also played an important role.
"Over the past years, we have improved a lot. I believe that we can achieve even more. We will aim to defend all the titles won in Lithuania and perform successfully in the Champions League qualifiers.
"This season, the invaluable experience accumulated should help us to achieve this," says the conductor of attacks, who is sought after by foreign clubs.
"My family and I like living in Lithuania. 'Žalgiris' has created excellent conditions for continuing my career in my homeland. I have nothing to complain about - neither about my role in the team, nor about the time spent on the field," says the player.
Starting his career in the team "Šiauliai" in 2006, M. Kuklys attracted the attention of the Belgian club KV "Turnhout" with his successful performance in 2010. Before the start of the 2012 season, the midfielder returned to Lithuania and chose "Žalgiris."
Wearing the green and white kit, the player reached new heights: he debuted for the Lithuanian national team, became a national champion, twice won the LFF Cup and Super Cup, and was named the most valuable player of these competitions.
This year, in the Europa League qualifiers, M. Kuklys helped "Žalgiris" to pass three stages. Starting all eight matches in the main lineup, the midfielder scored three goals and provided an assist.
