M. Dapkus from Kaunas travels to Šiauliai

2024-01-23 19:20 © FA Šiauliai

Preparation for the upcoming 2024 season of the football academy "Šiauliai" has been strengthened by another newcomer. The leaders of the FA "Šiauliai" today shook hands with Martynas Dapkus, who has recently been playing in Kaunas.

Martynas began to pursue his dream of becoming a professional football player in his hometown of Tauragė, later moving to the national football academy located in Kaunas to learn the secrets of football. The latter's protege completed the 2011 season playing for the then-existing Kaunas "Atlantas" in the "First League", and after the end of the season, the Tauragė native shook hands with the powerful Israeli football club "Maccabi" from Haifa.

Indeed, the footballer represented the club's youth teams for almost a year, and was later loaned to the Aukštaitija Nazareth "Hapoel" team, competing in the second most powerful division in the country.

After some time in Israel, the solid defender returned to Lithuania and joined the ranks of the then-existing Kaunas "Stumbras". Later, he played for the "Trakai" and "Jonava" teams, and for the past five years, the footballer has represented the honor of "Kaunas Žalgiris".

The 30-year-old defender, who captained in Kaunas, appeared more than 150 times in total in official matches wearing the green and white jerseys, scored 5 goals, and made 4 assists.

The new player of the Šiauliai team is also a member of the Lithuanian national men's team, whose jersey he has worn 16 times in total. In addition, the player has also been invited to various age group youth teams.

"Well, the feeling is wonderful, I joined a team that has a strong character and great ambitions. I am happy that the organization's leaders trusted me and gave me a chance to represent the team of the sun city.

Truth be told, I have long sympathized with this organization because of its exceptional approach to Lithuanian football players. I think that their team, based on them, has managed to become a real headache for many of our country's teams in just a few years, not to mention the bronze medal and a place in the European tournament qualifiers won in the last season. It is a true example for our entire football community, and the results speak for themselves.

Talking about the period in Kaunas, it was truly great. There were good and bad stages, but the experience gained there has become an integral part of my career. It was just time when I realized that I wanted to set new goals for myself and continue to grow as a player and a person.

There are many familiar faces and friends in the team, with whom I have played together before, so I believe that the adaptation process will not be long, and the whole work process will be truly pleasant and memorable.

I think that the upcoming season will be truly interesting, and I am looking forward to its start. To the fans of the team from the sun city, I promise that I will give my all so that we can all enjoy victories and memorable moments together. Forward, Šiauliai!", said M. Dapkus, who strengthened the team.

The 7th newcomer of the team will wear the jersey marked with number 44 in the upcoming season.