Sligo Rovers sign Lithuanian defender Sigitas Olberkis

Sligo Rovers have snapped up Lithuanian defender Sigitas Olberkis on a short-term deal until the end of the 2020 season pending international clearance.

Olberkis was most recently with Maltese side Senglea Athletic after the Maltese league ended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 23-year-old former Lithuanian under-21 international arrived in Ireland today from Lithuania (a green list country) so he does not have to quarantine for two weeks.

“I’m very happy, and I say that because I can play,” the central defender told the Bit O’Red’s media team.

“When football stopped at my previous club, the league was declared over for the season so that was it, I had to go home. I have been waiting for a new season.

“When it was put to me about moving to Sligo Sliin Ireland, I know it is a good league and it is a good option for me.”

He added: “I will train with the team on Friday and then I hope to play as soon as possible. Of course, it will be strange with no supporters, but I have experiences of many things and I am here to play football.

“I am here for this season but of course I would like to be here for longer. For now, I want to play as much football as I can. I will be ready to play, I have so much desire and I want to use that to help my team win matches.”

Manager Liam Buckley concluded: “I’ve been looking at bringing in an additional defender because of injuries.

“Sigitas is a great addition, a really good ball player and he has played in a few leagues so it’s not a major transition to come here.

“He was with Zalgiris last season who are one of the leading teams in his country and was doing well in Malta before that league stopped.

“He’s available straight away once we get clearance, any player we would bring in now has to be from a country where it is safe to do so.

“We’re getting close to some of the defenders coming back and we’ll be really strong in that area.”