Edgaras Jankauskas

Edgaras Jankauskas (born March 12, 1975) is a Lithuanian professional football (soccer) who is currently attached to Latvian side Skonto Riga. He is a tall powerful striker who particularly enjoys the physical side of the game, but also possesses a delicate touch and is known for his technique.

Jankauskas, who is a Lithuania national football team international, and the country's best known player, started his career with FK Panerys Vilnius but by the age of 16 moved on to join FK Žalgiris. In 1996 he joined PFC CSKA Moscow and later spent a year in the Russian capital with FC Torpedo Moscow.

In 1998 Jankauskas moved to Club Brugge and helped the club to win the Jupiler League before, in January 2000, becoming the most expensive Lithuanian player of all time, when Real Sociedad paid Brugge 2.3 million euros for his services. After a year and a half in Donostia he was loaned to SL Benfica for the 2001-02 season and the following year was signed by FC Porto manager José Mourinho. Although not always a regular with Porto, Jankauskas made an important contribution to a side which swept all before them in Portugal, winning the Portuguese Liga and Cup of Portugal The Double in 2002-03 and the league title in 2003-04. Jankauskas also helped Porto to an unprecedented run of European success and, while he missed selection for the 2003 UEFA Cup final-winning squad, he was a substitute when the Dragons won the UEFA Champions League against AS Monaco in 2004.

After the departure of Mourinho, Jankauskas fell out of favor in Porto and joined OGC Nice on loan but he failed to settle in France and eventually in 2005 signed for FBK Kaunas. He was immediately loaned to Scottish Premier League Club Heart of Midlothian F.C. at the behest of Vladimir Romanov, who controls both clubs, and spent the next two seasons in Edinburgh. In 2005-06 in Scottish football Jankauskas' experience and goals helped Hearts to win the Scottish Cup and achieve Champions league qualification by finishing second in the Scottish Premier League. The following year was less successful for him though, as injuries and indifferent form limited his appearances. After his Kaunas and Hearts (loan) contract expired in 2007 he signed with Cyprus's AEK Larnaca.

On Wednesday, January 30th he signed with Portuguese Liga outfit C.F. Os Belenenses.

Honours

- UEFA Cup: 2002-03
- UEFA Champions League: 2003-04
- Lithuanian football Cup: 1993, 1994
- Jupiler League: 1997-98
- Belgian Supercup: 1998
- Portuguese Liga: 2002-03, 2003-04
- Cup of Portugal: 2002-03
- SuperCup Cândido de Oliveira: 2002-03, 2003-04
- Scottish Cup: 2006

International goals