Valdas Ivanauskas

• Full name: Valdas Ivanauskas
• Born: 31 August 1966, Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR (Soviet Union)
• Position: Forward / Striker (attacking player)
• National team: Lithuania (represented Lithuania following the country’s independence)

Overview

Valdas Ivanauskas is a well-known Lithuanian footballer best remembered as one of the first post-Soviet Lithuanian players to establish a career in Western European leagues. He began his senior career in Lithuania (notably with FK Žalgiris Vilnius during the Soviet era) and went on to play professionally abroad, including spells in Austria and in Germany. Ivanauskas was selected for the Lithuania national team in the 1990s and contributed as a goalscoring forward during his international appearances.

Club career (summary)

• Early career and breakthrough with Žalgiris Vilnius (Soviet Top League era).
• Moved abroad after Lithuanian independence, playing in Austria and Germany; his time in Germany included a spell with Hamburger SV.
• Later stages of his playing career saw returns to Lithuanian clubs and involvement in the domestic league.

International career

Ivanauskas represented the Lithuania national team in the 1990s era when Lithuania re-established its national side. He was part of the early post-independence generation that helped raise the profile of Lithuanian football internationally.

Coaching and later roles

After retiring from playing, Ivanauskas moved into coaching and football development roles in Lithuania, taking managerial positions with clubs and contributing to the development of Lithuanian football at club and youth levels.

Legacy

Ivanauskas is regarded as a pioneer among Lithuanian professionals who moved to higher-profile European leagues after the Soviet period. He is remembered for his attacking play, finishing ability, and for helping to open the path for other Lithuanian players abroad.

If you need a complete, sourced career timeline (clubs with years, exact international caps and goals, managerial appointments and dates), an updated fact-checked record can be provided.