Andrius Skerla

Andrius Skerla
Personal information
Full nameAndrius Skerla
Date of birth29 April 1977
Place of birthVilnius, Soviet Union
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing positionDefender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1995–1996Žalgiris-2 Vilnius14(1)
1995–1996Žalgiris Vilnius54(2)
1997–1999PSV25(0)
2000–2005Dunfermline Athletic169(2)
2005–2006Tom Tomsk31(1)
2007Vėtra22(0)
2007–2008Korona Kielce21(2)
2008–2011Jagiellonia Białystok95(6)
2012–2013Žalgiris Vilnius31(3)
National team
1996–2011Lithuania84(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 February 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 February 2014

Andrius Skerla (born 29 April 1977 in Vilnius) is a Lithuanian former professional football defender.

Successes

Career

Skerla started his career at local club FK Žalgiris Vilnius in 1995, before Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven signed him in 1996. After an unsuccessful spell in the Netherlands, Skerla signed for SPL side Dunfermline Athletic.

Dunfermline Athletic

Skerla's time at Dunfermline was his most successful period of football. He was signed in 2000 by new manager Jimmy Calderwood[1] and was immediately put into the starting line up. After a successful first season at Dunfermline he was linked with numerous clubs including Scottish club Glasgow Rangers,[2] but Skerla insisted he wanted to stay at East End Park. Skerla will most probably be remembered by the Pars fans, for scoring Dunfermline's only goal in the 2004 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.[3]

Tom Tomsk

In March 2005, Skerla announced he wished to leave Dunfermline as he decided to look for new challenges.[4] After Russian side Rubin Kazan had a bid failed because it did not meet Dunfermline's valuation of the player,[5] Skerla re-iterated his decision that he wanted to move[4] and eventually he moved to Tom Tomsk for £200,000.[6]

FK Vetra

Since leaving Dunfermline for Russia, Skerla has played for Lithuanian side FK Vėtra.

Korona Kielce

Later he played for Ekstraklasa team Korona Kielce.

Jagiellonia Białystok

Skerla played for Ekstraklasa side Jagiellonia Białystok.[7] Skerla scored in the 2010 Polish Cup Final for Jagiellonia, helping them to secure their first senior trophy, as well as ensure they would compete in European competition for the first time in the 2010-2011 season.

International

Skerla marked his 50th appearance for Lithuania on 7 October 2006 with a first international goal against the Faroe Islands. Skerla retired from International football on 11 October 2011 after a defeat to Czech Republic.

References

  1. "Pars to sign PSV defender". BBC News. 28 June 2000. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  2. "No go for Flo says Murray". BBC News. 16 April 2001. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  3. "Larsson caps Celtic triumph". BBC News. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Skerla anger at transfer collapse". BBC News. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  5. "Skerla staying with Dunfermline". BBC News. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  6. "Skerla leaves Pars for Russians". BBC News. 24 August 2005. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  7. http://www.jagiellonia.pl/aktualnosci.php?a=10167

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andrius Skerla.