Aleksejs Višnakovs
Encyclopedia
Aleksejs Višņakovs is a Latvia
n football midfielder
, who currently plays for Cracovia in the Ekstraklasa in Poland
.
. Being a promising youngster, in 2001 he was brought to the first team by that time manager Aleksandrs Starkovs
. It was hard for the young player to fit in the squad, as he played only 2 matches in his first season with the club. After the season he was given away to another club from Riga
, this time FK Auda, playing in the Latvian First League
. Višņakovs played 20 matches for them, scoring his first goal then. After showing some pretty good qualities, he was taken back to Skonto Riga
and surely didn't disappoint this time. He had a long spell with the club that lasted for 5 years, from 2003 till 2008. During this time he became well-known among the fans and was a vital player in the starting eleven, all in all making 139 appearances and scoring 31 goal. In 2009 he left the club, as his contract ended. Immediately after leaving, on February 13, 2009, he signed a contract with Skonto Riga
rivals FK Ventspils
. He played there for the next two seasons, also appearing in the UEFA Europa League group stages. All in all he played 43 matches, scoring 16 goals, becoming one of the league's top scorers.
club Spartak Nalchik
. In January 2011 he joined them on trial, and as it was successful, he signed a contract with them. Unfortunately, soon after the deal club's managers changed and as the new coach stated, Višņakovs was no more needed for the team, and Višņakovs was released.
in 2004 against Oman
, but he didn't participate in the EURO 2004 group stages. He has 36 caps and 5 goals for the national team so far.
. While Aleksejs was also a part of FK Ventspils
squad, they played together.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, who currently plays for Cracovia in the Ekstraklasa in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Latvia
As a youth player Višņakovs played for JFC SkontoSkonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
. Being a promising youngster, in 2001 he was brought to the first team by that time manager Aleksandrs Starkovs
Aleksandrs Starkovs
Aleksandrs Starkovs is a Latvian football coach and a former footballer. Starkovs is currently in his second spell as manager of the Latvian national team and is also the manager of FK Baku, having previously managed clubs such as Spartak Moscow in Russia and Skonto FC in Latvia.-Playing...
. It was hard for the young player to fit in the squad, as he played only 2 matches in his first season with the club. After the season he was given away to another club from Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, this time FK Auda, playing in the Latvian First League
Latvian First League
The Latvian First League is the second tier of football in Latvia and is organised by the Latvian Football Federation. From the 2007 season, the tournament has been known as the Traffic 1. līga, due to its sponsorship by the "Traffic auto advert" advertising company.-Format:There are 14 clubs in...
. Višņakovs played 20 matches for them, scoring his first goal then. After showing some pretty good qualities, he was taken back to Skonto Riga
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
and surely didn't disappoint this time. He had a long spell with the club that lasted for 5 years, from 2003 till 2008. During this time he became well-known among the fans and was a vital player in the starting eleven, all in all making 139 appearances and scoring 31 goal. In 2009 he left the club, as his contract ended. Immediately after leaving, on February 13, 2009, he signed a contract with Skonto Riga
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
rivals FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament....
. He played there for the next two seasons, also appearing in the UEFA Europa League group stages. All in all he played 43 matches, scoring 16 goals, becoming one of the league's top scorers.
Russia
After the successful season he was linked with a move to the Russian Premier LeagueRussian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
club Spartak Nalchik
PFC Spartak Nalchik
PFC Spartak Nalchik is a Russian association football club based in Nalchik. Spartak has played in Russian Premier League since 2006.-History:...
. In January 2011 he joined them on trial, and as it was successful, he signed a contract with them. Unfortunately, soon after the deal club's managers changed and as the new coach stated, Višņakovs was no more needed for the team, and Višņakovs was released.
Poland
Soon after leaving Nalchik Višņakovs went on trial with Cracovia, playing in the Polish Ekstraklasa. In February, 2011 he signed a two and a half year contract with them, soon after joining already proving his qualities. Joining in the middle of the season, he played 14 matches and scored 3 goals, helping the club secure a place in the next year's Ekstraklasa.International Career
Višņakovs made his debut for LatviaLatvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
in 2004 against Oman
Oman national football team
The Oman national football team is the national team of Oman. Although the team was officially founded in 1978, the squad was formed long before, and has established a proper football association in only December, 2005...
, but he didn't participate in the EURO 2004 group stages. He has 36 caps and 5 goals for the national team so far.
Family
His younger brother Eduards is also a professional footballer, currently playing for FK VentspilsFK Ventspils
FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament....
. While Aleksejs was also a part of FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament....
squad, they played together.
External links
- Player's profile transfermarkt.co.uk.