Kaspars Gorkšs
Encyclopedia
Kaspars Gorkšs is a Latvian
footballer who plays for Reading
as a defender
. He is also a regular with the Latvia national team
.
, Gorkšs began his career at FK Auda
, scoring 9 goals in 77 appearances. After a week long trial he joined Swedish
club, Östers IF
in December 2002, playing in the Allsvenskan
, the Swedish top flight. He moved to Assyriska Föreningen
in 2005, who were then in the Allsvenskan. He moved back to Latvia in 2006 signing for FK Ventspils
and he scored 5 goals for Ventspils in the clubs Championship winning 2006 Virslīga season. He also played for Ventspils in the second qualifying round of the 2006–07
UEFA Cup
, against English Premier League club Newcastle United
. and Gorkšs joined Blackpool on 1 January 2007, On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association
's The Championship
"Team of the Week". Eight days later, Gorkšs scored his first goals for Blackpool in a League Cup
second-round tie at Derby County
. The Latvian's two goals were both equalisers — one in normal time and one in extra time — in a game that went to a penalty-shootout, won by Blackpool 7–6. On 1 October Gorkšs was again named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".
Gorkšs scored his first league goal for Blackpool in their 1–0 victory over Scunthorpe United
at Bloomfield Road
on 10 November 2007. On 29 December 2007 he was named as runner-up in the annual Latvian Player of the Year Awards by the Latvian Football Federation
behind the winner, Vitālijs Astafjevs
of Skonto
. He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" for a third time on 25 February 2008, alongside teammate Stephen McPhee
and again on 10 March He was named as the Yorkshire Seasiders
Player of the Year on 6 May and the following day Blackpool activated an option to extend his contract with the club by one year.
Following the season, his first full season in English football in which he had become a regular in the Blackpool side and scored seven goals, Gorkšs was linked with moves to various clubs including Scottish Premier League
club Rangers
, as well as fellow Championship clubs Burnley
, Crystal Palace
, Norwich City
, Preston North End
and Watford
; however, he dismissed the moves as just rumours, stating, "From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do." On 29 May both he and fellow Blackpool player Wes Hoolahan
were linked with a move to Norwich City
.
(QPR) confirmed that they had made an official bid to sign Gorkšs. However, on 17 June, Blackpool issued a brief statement stating that they had reported QPR to the Football Association
and the Football League
for what they claimed was an illegal approach for Gorkšs. Blackpool manager Simon Grayson
stated, "we've got to protect the interests of our club and we're led to believe there's been an illegal approach." On 18 June the Football League, who would be adjudicating on the matter, confirmed that they could block the move if QPR were found to have "tapped up the player", and that the matter could be referred to a disciplinary commission.
On 4 July it was incorrectly reported in the Latvian media that Gorkšs had signed a contract with QPR. QPR announced on their official website that they had been given permission to speak with the player and that he had agreed personal terms. However, this was strongly denied by Blackpool, whose club chairman, Karl Oyston
stated, "We definitely have not given them permission to speak to him. I'm disappointed once again with the way they've gone about their business." The statement on the QPR official website was later removed.
On 28 July, Gorkšs completed his move to Loftus Road for a fee of ₤250,000, with Daniel Nardiello
(permanent) and Zesh Rehman (loan) going the other way as part of the deal.
Gorkšs scored his first goal for QPR in their 2–1 away win at Sheffield Wednesday on 7 November 2009.
In September 2010, he signed a two year extension with Queens Park Rangers
.
on a three-year contract.
and he made his debut for Latvia
on 24 December 2005 against Thailand
in the 36th annual King's Cup
in Phang Nga
, Thailand
. On 11 October 2006, in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Northern Ireland
, Gorkšs started the second half in place of Māris Smirnovs
. In February 2007 he played for Latvia in the annual Cyprus International Football Tournament. On 6 February, he played the full 90 minutes of Latvia's 2–0 defeat by Bulgaria
in the semi finals of the tournament. And the following day he played in the third place play off match against Hungary
which they also lost 2–0. On 28 March 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their 2008 UEFA European Football Championship
qualifer 1–0 defeat by Liechtenstein
. On 22 August 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their friendly 2–1 defeat in Riga by Moldova
. He scored his first goal for Latvia on 17 October 2007, against Denmark
.
Gorkšs is the current captain of the Latvian national football team.
on 16 October 2007. His two brothers, Jorens Gorkšs and Rihards Gorkšs, both play for his former club FK Auda
, whilst his father, Juris Gorkšs, is the club's chairman
.
Individual
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...
footballer who plays for Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He is also a regular with the Latvia national team
Latvia 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...
.
Club career
Born in RigaRiga
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,...
, Gorkšs began his career at FK Auda
FK Auda/Alberts Riga
Futbola klubs Auda/Alberts is a Latvian football club, playing in the second-highest division of Latvian football . They are from Ķekava.-History:...
, scoring 9 goals in 77 appearances. After a week long trial he joined Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
club, Östers IF
Östers IF
Östers IF is a Swedish football club located in Växjö. The club, formed 20 April 1930 , is currently playing in the second Swedish league called Superettan. In 1968, Öster won Allsvenskan as newcomers. The club is affiliated to the Smålands Fotbollförbund...
in December 2002, playing in the Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
, the Swedish top flight. He moved to Assyriska Föreningen
Assyriska Föreningen
Assyriska Föreningen is a Swedish football club based in Södertälje. The club, formed in 1974 by Assyrian immigrants, has advanced through the league system and is currently playing in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan. They played in the highest Swedish football league Allsvenskan in...
in 2005, who were then in the Allsvenskan. He moved back to Latvia in 2006 signing for 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....
and he scored 5 goals for Ventspils in the clubs Championship winning 2006 Virslīga season. He also played for Ventspils in the second qualifying round of the 2006–07
UEFA Cup 2006-07
The 2006–07 UEFA Cup was the 36th UEFA Cup, Europe's second tier club football tournament. On 16 May 2007, at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Sevilla won their second consecutive UEFA Cup, defeating Espanyol 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 2–2 after extra time...
UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, against English Premier League club Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. and Gorkšs joined Blackpool on 1 January 2007, On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association
Press Association
The Press Association is the national news agency of the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying multimedia news content to almost all national and regional newspapers, television and radio news, as well as many websites with text, pictures, video and data content globally...
's The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
"Team of the Week". Eight days later, Gorkšs scored his first goals for Blackpool in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
second-round tie at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. The Latvian's two goals were both equalisers — one in normal time and one in extra time — in a game that went to a penalty-shootout, won by Blackpool 7–6. On 1 October Gorkšs was again named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".
Gorkšs scored his first league goal for Blackpool in their 1–0 victory over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
on 10 November 2007. On 29 December 2007 he was named as runner-up in the annual Latvian Player of the Year Awards by the Latvian Football Federation
Latvian Football Federation
The Latvian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Latvia based in the capital, Riga. It organises the Latvian football championship , Latvian Football Cup and the Latvia national football team. LFF became a member of FIFA in 1922, but following Latvia's annexation by the Soviet...
behind the winner, Vitālijs Astafjevs
Vitalijs Astafjevs
Vitālijs Astafjevs is a former football midfielder from Latvia, currently the assistant manager for Skonto Rīga.- Club career :...
of Skonto
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...
. He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" for a third time on 25 February 2008, alongside teammate Stephen McPhee
Stephen McPhee
Stephen McPhee is a Scottish former footballer. In a ten year career he has played for clubs in Scotland, England and Portugal. And has been capped for his country at under-21 level. A forward, he scored 55 goals in 249 games in all competitions.Starting his career at Coventry City, following a...
and again on 10 March He was named as the Yorkshire Seasiders
Yorkshire Seasiders
Yorkshire Seasiders is an independent Supporters Group, founded in August 2003, who follow English Premier League team Blackpool FC, specifically for any fan of the club who lives in Yorkshire.-Background:...
Player of the Year on 6 May and the following day Blackpool activated an option to extend his contract with the club by one year.
Following the season, his first full season in English football in which he had become a regular in the Blackpool side and scored seven goals, Gorkšs was linked with moves to various clubs including Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, as well as fellow Championship clubs Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
; however, he dismissed the moves as just rumours, stating, "From my point of view it's just a case of carrying on and seeing what happens, that's all I can really do." On 29 May both he and fellow Blackpool player Wes Hoolahan
Wes Hoolahan
Wesley "Wes" Hoolahan is an Irish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Norwich City.-Early career:...
were linked with a move to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
.
QPR
On 12 June, Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(QPR) confirmed that they had made an official bid to sign Gorkšs. However, on 17 June, Blackpool issued a brief statement stating that they had reported QPR to the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
and the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for what they claimed was an illegal approach for Gorkšs. Blackpool manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
stated, "we've got to protect the interests of our club and we're led to believe there's been an illegal approach." On 18 June the Football League, who would be adjudicating on the matter, confirmed that they could block the move if QPR were found to have "tapped up the player", and that the matter could be referred to a disciplinary commission.
On 4 July it was incorrectly reported in the Latvian media that Gorkšs had signed a contract with QPR. QPR announced on their official website that they had been given permission to speak with the player and that he had agreed personal terms. However, this was strongly denied by Blackpool, whose club chairman, Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston is an English businessman and the chairman of Blackpool F.C.-Background:Up until 1999, Oyston spent much of his time involved in running the Oyston family businesses including property management, farming interests and publishing....
stated, "We definitely have not given them permission to speak to him. I'm disappointed once again with the way they've gone about their business." The statement on the QPR official website was later removed.
On 28 July, Gorkšs completed his move to Loftus Road for a fee of ₤250,000, with Daniel Nardiello
Daniel Nardiello
Daniel Antony Nardiello is an English-born Welsh footballer. A forward who currently plays for Exeter City, he is the son of former Wales international Donato Nardiello and cousin of Reis Ashraf and Michael Nardiello....
(permanent) and Zesh Rehman (loan) going the other way as part of the deal.
Gorkšs scored his first goal for QPR in their 2–1 away win at Sheffield Wednesday on 7 November 2009.
In September 2010, he signed a two year extension with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
.
Reading F.C.
On 24 August 2011, he signed for ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on a three-year contract.
International career
Gorkšs has played for the Latvian Under-21 teamLatvia national under-21 football team
The Latvia national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Latvia and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body of football in Latvia. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
and he made his debut for Latvia
Latvia 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...
on 24 December 2005 against Thailand
Thailand national football team
The Thailand national football team represents Thailand in international football competition and is governed by the Football Association of Thailand. The team has a history of success in Southeast Asian competition, with three ASEAN Football Championship titles and nine senior-level Southeast...
in the 36th annual King's Cup
King's Cup
The King's Cup is an international football competition held in Thailand. It has been played annually since 1968, with the exception of 1983, 1985 and 2008. In some years, the competition has featured club or invitational teams as well as international sides....
in Phang Nga
Phang Nga
Phang Nga ) is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Phang Nga Province. The town covers the whole tambon Thai Chang of Mueang Phang Nga district. As of 2005 it has a population of 9,559 and covers an area of 6.75 km²....
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. On 11 October 2006, in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, Gorkšs started the second half in place of Māris Smirnovs
Maris Smirnovs
Māris Smirnovs is a football defender from Latvia currently playing for FC Tranzīts.As of 6 July 2009 he has played 22 international matches for the Latvia national team...
. In February 2007 he played for Latvia in the annual Cyprus International Football Tournament. On 6 February, he played the full 90 minutes of Latvia's 2–0 defeat by Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
in the semi finals of the tournament. And the following day he played in the third place play off match against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
which they also lost 2–0. On 28 March 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their 2008 UEFA European Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, was the 13th UEFA European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament contested by European nations. It took place in Austria and Switzerland from 7 to 29 June 2008...
qualifer 1–0 defeat by Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein national football team
The Liechtenstein national football team is the national football team of Liechtenstein and is controlled by the Liechtenstein Football Association. The organisation is known as the Liechtensteiner Fussballverband in German. The team's first match was an unofficial match against Malta in Seoul, a...
. On 22 August 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their friendly 2–1 defeat in Riga by Moldova
Moldova national football team
The Moldova national football team represents Moldova in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Moldova, the governing body for football in Moldova. Moldova's home ground is Zimbru Stadium in Chişinău and their head coach is Gavril Balint...
. He scored his first goal for Latvia on 17 October 2007, against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
Gorkšs is the current captain of the Latvian national football team.
Personal life
Gorkšs has two children. His first child, a daughter Luīze, was born in 2005 and his second child, a son, Patriks, was born in RigaRiga
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,...
on 16 October 2007. His two brothers, Jorens Gorkšs and Rihards Gorkšs, both play for his former club FK Auda
FK Auda/Alberts Riga
Futbola klubs Auda/Alberts is a Latvian football club, playing in the second-highest division of Latvian football . They are from Ķekava.-History:...
, whilst his father, Juris Gorkšs, is the club's chairman
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
.
Honours
Club- Ventspils
- Latvian Higher League champion: (1) 2006
- Blackpool
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off final winner: 2006–07
- League One
- Queens Park Rangers
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
Winners: Promotion to the FA Premier LeagueFA Premier LeagueThe Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
: 2010–20112010–11 Football League ChampionshipThe 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
- Football League Championship
Individual
-
- The ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
"Team of the Week": 20 August 2007 - The Championship "Team of the Week": 1 October 2007
- The Championship "Team of the Week": 25 February 2008
- The Championship "Team of the Week": 10 March 2008
- The Championship "Team of the Week": 27 September 2010
- Gorkšs has been named "Latvian footballer of the year" twice: in 2009 and in 2010.
- The Championship