As FK Kauno Zalgiris continue their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign, the club have strengthened the squad with another new signing. The Lithuanian champions have reached an agreement with Lirim Kastrati.
The 27-year-old right-back, who holds both Italian and Kosovan citizenship, arrives in Kaunas from Hungarian club Diósgyőri (DVTK) of Miskolc.
Kastrati left his native Kosovo at a young age to move to Italy, where he first joined the Padova academy before spending six years in the youth system of the renowned AS Roma. Prior to beginning his professional career, he also spent two years with Bologna's youth team.
He made his professional debut in 2020 with Hungarian top-flight side Újpest FC, where he spent four seasons.
Kastrati then moved to Poland, joining Widzew Łódź, where he reunited with current Kauno Zalgiris head coach Zeljko Sopić.
After his spell in Poland, the defender spent six months without a club before returning to the Hungarian top division in the summer of 2025, signing with DVTK.
At international level, Kastrati represented Albania's youth national teams as a teenager before switching allegiance to Kosovo. He has earned 15 senior caps for the Kosovo national team and remains in contention for future call-ups.
At FK Kauno Zalgiris, Lirim Kastrati will wear the No. 62 shirt.
