At the conclusion of the 2024 season, RIGA FC Women bids farewell to one of the club’s most experienced and respected players — defender Džeina Eglīte, who has played her final match for the team.
Džeina joined RIGA FC Women at the moment of its formation and quickly became one of the key personalities within the squad. Her professionalism, discipline, and commitment — travelling daily from Cēsis to Riga — made her not only a reliable player on the field but also a core figure in shaping the team’s spirit off it. From the very first match, she earned the trust of the coaching staff and the respect of her teammates, securing an important place in the starting lineup.
In the club’s inaugural season, Džeina played 21 Women’s League matches and 3 Women’s Cup matches, becoming the only RIGA FC Women player to start every single match in 2024. She also recorded the highest number of minutes played throughout the season.
In 2025, despite increased competition within the squad, Džeina once again proved her importance, making 19 league appearances and contributing in two Cup matches, including the Women’s Cup Final against FK Auda.
“I am very grateful to Kristīne Giržda (Riga FC Women player in 2024), who reached out to me last year and convinced me to come to my first training session. I came, but I didn’t expect anything. However, once I started training with the team, I saw that the coach (Igors Kļosovs) trusted me. Even though very strong players joined at the start of the season, I realised that the coach entrusted me with an important role in defence – not only on the field, but also as a sort of team mom, protecting the team in crucial moments. Playing the entire first season was surprising and unexpected for me. It was very difficult – professionally, physically, emotionally – battling with myself and my thoughts about whether I needed this. But I continued to travel from Cēsis to training, combining it with work and family, and trying to maintain the level that was expected from me. I am very grateful for this opportunity – not only to be a player. With my energy, I also earned the opportunity to take on an emotional role – to care, to make people laugh sometimes, to entertain, to help when needed. And I also received enormous support in return during the toughest moments – after travelling the long road to training, I would receive emotional fulfilment. Riga FC Women was my first professional experience, and I am happy that I gained it in this team – with such different players, from different countries and backgrounds, and with a club that truly cares for its players. The coaching staff, medical team, management and, of course, the fantastic atmosphere within the team. At this moment, I am putting my professional playing career on pause. My next plans are to return to my home region and develop women’s football in Vidzeme, possibly even creating my own team that could one day reach the top league. Riga FC Women gave me the best two years in football and a wonderful opportunity to play professionally. Thank you to everyone who was around me during these two years. I hope that with my energy I was also able to be a good motivation for some.”
