Gitis Paulaskas (26, Lithuania) made his K League 1 debut. Gittis only stepped on the ground in the third round this season due to the disciplinary action he received from his former team.
Gitis played full-time in a showdown against FC Seoul in the third round of the K League 1 of the 2026 season at Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on March 15. Gitis helped Choi Byung-wook score an equalizer in the 43rd minute of the second half with a pass with a wide field of view when his team was trailing 0-1. It was an offensive point in his K League 1 debut.
However, Gitis and Jeju couldn’t laugh. This is why Jeju lost 1-2 by dedicating the winning goal to Lee Seung-mo in Seoul in the extra time of the second half.
사진 확대 Jeju SK striker Gitis Paulaskas (26, Lithuania). Gitis could not hide his regret after losing 1-2 against FC Seoul. The match against Seoul was Gittis’ K League 1 debut. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
사진 확대 Gitis, who plays for Lithuania. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1
사진 확대 Gitis (left side of the picture) who made his debut at Jeju SK. Photo = Korean Professional Football Federation
After the game, Gitis expressed regret, saying, “I had to bring even one point.” It didn’t matter to Gittis that his offensive point. Only the team was thinking.
Gitis is a special goaltender who entered Jeju with high expectations ahead of the 2026 season.
Gittis made his professional debut in 2017 for Lithuania’s prestigious FK Zalgiris B team. Afterwards, he played for FC Vilnius Vitis, FK Ritteria (Londonia), KF Egnatia (Albania), and FC Kolos Kovaliuka (Ukraine).
In the first half of the 2025-26 season, Gittis wore the MFK Gemplin Mykhaloche (Slovak) uniform and scored five goals and three assists in 18 official games.
Gittis has also experienced the UEFA Europa League (UEL) and the Conference League (UECL).
사진 확대 Gitis, who plays for Lithuania. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1
Gittis also plays for the Lithuanian national football team. Gittis has two goals in 28 A matches.
This is the story that “MK Sports” shared with “Litanian Express” Gitis, who impressed in his Jeju debut.
사진 확대 Jeju SK lost to FC Seoul 1-2 on March 15. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
Q. Although he lost the game, he played well, recording help in his K League 1 debut.
It was a good game. Both teams fought with all their might until the end. It was also meaningful because it was a long-awaited K League 1 debut. My attack point doesn’t seem to matter. It’s a shame the team didn’t win. I had to bring in at least one point. I’m sorry to the fans.
Q. Due to the disciplinary action he received from his former team, he was able to make his debut in the third round of the K League 1.
It wasn’t a sudden disciplinary action. I made my body with the goal of the match against Seoul. I knew the match against Seoul would be my debut. I only thought about the Seoul match. The only thought was, “We have to pour everything out of the match against Seoul.” Of course, I watched our team’s game. It was impressive that all the players played really hard. I want to help the team while maintaining good condition.
Q. This is my first time playing in Asia outside of Europe. How is life on Jeju Island.
Very satisfying (laughs). It’s as comfortable as it’s been a long time. Well, Jeju Island feels like everything is well organized. It is a place where you can buy high-quality products at any time and pursue the quality of life. I haven’t lived in Jeju Island for a long time, but I said it earlierHe is living a satisfactory life without any inconvenience. As life is stabilized, it seems that I can focus more on soccer. I want to show better and better performance to my fans.
사진 확대 Jeju SK coach Sergio Costa. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
사진 확대 Jeju SK coach Sergio Costa. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
Q. Director Sergio Costa is a leader who places great importance on the process. The players expressed great satisfaction with Costa’s training program.
You’ll find out when you’re trained by Coach Costa. The more you train, the more trust you have. According to the director, I have confidence that he will grow more and more. The good training program means that the coaching staff makes that much effort. In particular, our coaching staff takes care to spread their talents when players go on the field. I and other players know the coaching staff’s efforts. There is no victory yet, but I believe that if we trust each other and move on as we do now, we will laugh at the end.
Q. Was there anything Costa said to Gitis who will make his debut.
Coach Costa once again pointed out clearly what I should do on the field. It was mostly a tactical story. Not only the coaches but also the coaches came and told me the core story. Everyone said, “Don’t be nervous and relax.” I think I focused only on the game. So I feel sorry for the victory I gave to the opponent more.
사진 확대 Gitis, Lithuanian national striker. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1
사진 확대 Gitis in training. Photo = Korean Professional Football Federation
Q. Why did you choose Jeju out of Europe.
I knew Korea and Japan well. I played in Europe, but I had a dream to play in Korea or Japan someday. Korea and Japan have many similarities. In particular, it is very impressive that the players have a strong mentality. I wanted to play with those players. This is why I didn’t think much about Jeju after hearing that it was interested in me. I made up my mind right away.
Q. What do you really want to achieve in Jeju.
There are two things. One is to enter the K League 1 Final A this season. We need to help the team to be in Final A. That’s my role and mission. Another goal is a lot of goals. Am I a striker. Strikers should speak with goals. I want to score as many goals as possible to convey joy to the team and fans.
[Seoguri = Lee Geun-seung, MK Sports Reporter]