Revs Sign Lithuanian Forward

Jankauskas Played for Benfica, FC Porto

July 1, 2009

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Revolution today signed Lithuanian forward Edgaras Jankauskas to an MLS contract. Jankauskas will occupy the international roster spot acquired yesterday from the Kansas City Wizards.

Although his best soccer is probably behind him, Jankauskas, 34, has more than 18 seasons of experience in the European professional leagues, including stints with Benfica and FC Porto. He will be added to the Revs’ 20-man senior roster pending Visa approval.

“We are pleased to sign Edgaras,” said Revolution Vice President Michael Burns in a statement. “He is a very experienced player at both the club and international level, and he is a proven scorer who can hold the ball up well. We expect he will be a good fit for our team and we’re anxious to get him acclimated to MLS.”

Jankauskas’ transfer fee from Bruges to Spain’s Real Sociedad in 2000 set the record for a Lithuanian player, and he scored 19 goals in 56 appearances before being loaned to Benfica in 2002. His eight-goal, 12 appearance stint with Benfica preceded his signing with FC Porto, where he was a member of the club that won the Portuguese league and cup double in 2002-03, and the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League. He made 64 appearances and scored 19 goals under manager Jose Mourinho at Porto.

He also has playing experience in France (OGC Nice, 2005) and Scotland (Hearts, 2005-07 on loan from FBK Kaunas). Most recently, he has played with AEK Larnaca (Cyprus), Belenenses (Portugal) and Skonto (Latvia).

Jankauskas has represented Lithuania 54 times, scoring 10 goals for his country. Six of his goals have come in FIFA World Cup Qualifying, three each in the 2002 and 2006 cycles. He is a five-time footballer of the year in Lithuania (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004).

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