"Riga" adds new goalkeeper Kenan Pirić to squad ahead of Conference League campaign

Latvian football club "Riga" has strengthened its roster ahead of the Conference League group stage by adding goalkeeper Kenan Pirić, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over his career he has played for several clubs in his home country as well as in Belgium, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Azerbaijan.

His most recent club was Azerbaijan's Neftchi, where he made 28 appearances last season and kept ten clean sheets. The team finished the season in fourth place, while the championship went to Sabah, which subsequently earned a spot in the Champions League. In April, following a heavy 1:5 defeat to Qarabag, Pirić lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper, and yesterday he terminated his contract, becoming a free agent.

Earlier in his career, while playing for AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, Pirić featured in both Europa League and Conference League group stages. He has made eight appearances for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team — in the summer of 2024 he started in a friendly against Italy, and that autumn he was on the bench for Nations League A matches against the Netherlands and Hungary. He has not been called up since.

Other squad changes

Alongside Pirić, the squad also includes 26-year-old Frenks Orols, whose goalkeeping helped "Riga" secure qualification for the Conference League group stage, and 19-year-old Mārcis Kazainis. Krišjānis Zviedris has been removed from the squad following Pirić's addition.

Brazilian player Abner is also no longer included, despite having been registered for every European competition match this season without playing a single minute. Meanwhile, injured Orlando Galo remains in the squad, as does Andreass Salasars, who received a red card in the decisive qualifying match against KI Klaksvík.

"Riga" will play its opening Conference League group stage match on October 15, hosting Kairat Almaty at home.