Waterford sign Lithuanian international midfielder Karolis Chvedukas from Dundalk

Waterford have announced the signing of Lithuanian international Karolis Chvedukis ahead of the 2019 League of Ireland season following his departure from Dundalk.

The midfielder joins the Blues after it was announced earlier today that Premier Division and FAI Cup champions had parted ways with the player by mutual consent.

Chvedukis made 12 appearances in all competitions for The Lillywhites in 2018 but the midfielder’s season was disrupted by an ankle injury which required surgery.

The 27-year-old has been capped 19 times for his country including five appearances during Lithuania’s qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Chvedukas had spells playing for his hometown side Suduva Marijampole in the Lithuanian A Lyga before moving on to play in Croatia and Poland.

“We’re really happy to bring Karolis to the club,” Waterford manager Alan Reynolds told the club’s website.

“He’s well on his way to full fitness with the great work he’s been doing with the Dundalk medical team. He’s a strong midfielder who’ll offer us plenty.

“We’re trying to strengthen the squad and Karolis is part of that. He’s a great reader of the game and likes to keep the ball moving so will give us good options going forward.

“He’s got lots of experience from playing in Europe too so that will stand to us as a group of players. I want to thank Dundalk for their co-operation in getting this deal sorted, too.

“We’re still working hard to add to the squad, but we need to make sure we’re getting the right players. We won’t rest until we have the players we want.”

The Blues open their Premier Division campaign against Shamrock Rovers at the RSC on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).