Valkanov heads for Kaunas

FBK Kaunas have signed Bulgarian defender Yanko Valkanov from FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk, their sister club in Belarus, before commencing their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign a week today.

Romanov empire
The 24-year-old has scored four goals in 25 league appearances since joining the Minsk side in 2006. He previously played for PFC CSKA Sofia, PFC Marek Dupnitze and PFC Slavia Sofia. The former Under-21 international has won two senior caps for Bulgaria, scoring once. Kaunas and MTZ-RIPO are both owned by Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov, who is also in charge of Scottish side Heart of Midlothian FC. Kaunas play Montenegrin champions FK Zeta in their opening UEFA Champions League first qualifying round on 17 and 24 July. The winners of that match meet Scottish giants Rangers FC in the second qualifying round.