Kaspars Gorkšs

Born in Riga, Gorkšs began his career at FK Auda, scoring nine 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.{{cite news |title = Gorkšs lands Sweden switch |publisher = UEFA |date = 28 October 2003 | url = http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=40079.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130105151650/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=40079.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 5 January 2013}} He moved to Assyriska Föreningen in 2005, who were then in the Allsvenskan.{{cite news |title=Kaspars Gorkss går till Assyriska |url=http://www.smp.se/sport/kaspars-gorkss-gar-till-assyriska(117581).gm |work=Smp.se |date=7 January 2005 |access-date=24 April 2012 |language=sv |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140649/http://www.smp.se/sport/kaspars-gorkss-gar-till-assyriska(117581).gm |archive-date=22 February 2014}} He moved back to Latvia in 2006, signing for FK Ventspils,{{cite news |title=Lights, cameras, Latvian action |publisher=UEFA |date=7 April 2006 |url=http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=411326.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101225712/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D411326.html |archive-date= 1 January 2007 |url-status=dead}} and he scored five goals for Ventspils in the clubs Championship winning 2006 Virslīga season.{{cite web |title = Latvia 2006 |publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date = 21 March 2007 | url = https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/let06.html}} He also played for Ventspils in the second qualifying round of the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, against English Premier League club Newcastle United.{{cite news |title = FK Ventspils 0–1 Newcastle |publisher = BBC Sport |date =10 August 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4782233.stm}}

Gorkšs moved to Championship side Blackpool on 1 January 2007 having already agreed the transfer during December.{{cite news |title = Gorkss agrees to join Blackpool |publisher = BBC Sport |date =12 December 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/6173819.stm}} On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association's Championship "Team of the Week".{{cite web |title=Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week |publisher=The Football League |date=20 August 2007 |url=http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/42/77/0,,10794~96066,00.pdf |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080529063919/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/42/77/0,,10794~96066,00.pdf |url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2008 }} 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.{{cite news |title = Derby 2–2 Blackpool (Blackpool win 7–6 on penalties) |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 27 August 2007 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963495.stm}} On 1 October, Gorkšs was again named in the Press Association's The Championship "Team of the Week".{{cite web |title = Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week |publisher = The Football League |date = 1 October 2007 |url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/9a/92/0,,10794~103066,00.pdf |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229165918/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/9a/92/0,,10794~103066,00.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2008 |access-date = 2 October 2007}}

Gorkšs scored his first league goal for Blackpool, in their 1–0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Bloomfield Road on 10 November 2007.{{cite news |title = Blackpool 1–0 Scunthorpe |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 10 November 2007 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7076431.stm |access-date = 11 November 2007}}{{cite news |title = Emotional reunion for goal-hero Gorkss |work = Blackpool Gazette |date = 12 November 2007 |url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Emotional-reunion-for-goalhero-Gorkss.3469485.jp |access-date = 13 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071228022524/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Emotional-reunion-for-goalhero-Gorkss.3469485.jp |archive-date = 28 December 2007 |url-status = dead }} 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.{{cite news |title = Astafjevs named Latvia's number one |publisher = UEFA |date = 29 December 2007 |url = http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=642260.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071230183002/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=642260.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 30 December 2007 |access-date = 8 February 2008}} He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" for a third time on 25 February 2008, alongside teammate Stephen McPhee,{{cite web |title = Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week |publisher = The Football League |date = 25 February 2008 |url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/8f/da/0,,10794~121487,00.pdf |access-date = 1 March 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} and again on 10 March.{{cite web |title = Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week |publisher = The Football League |date = 10 March 2008 |url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/8b/de/0,,10794~122507,00.pdf |access-date = 11 March 2008

}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} He was named as the Yorkshire Seasiders Player of the Year on 6 May.{{cite news |title = Pool Player of Year revealed |work = Blackpool Gazette |date = 7 May 2008 |url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pool-Player-of-Year-revealed.4055775.jp |access-date = 7 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080510080631/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pool-Player-of-Year-revealed.4055775.jp |archive-date = 10 May 2008 |url-status = dead }} The following day, Blackpool activated an option to extend his contract with the club by one year.{{cite news |title=Retained List Latest |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |date=7 May 2008 |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1307664,00.html |access-date=7 May 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725090113/http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1307664%2C00.html |archive-date=25 July 2008 }}

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."{{cite news |last = Canavan |first = Steve |title = Just talk says Gorkss |work = Blackpool Gazette |date = 15 May 2008 |url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Just-talk-says-Gorkss.4086004.jp |access-date = 15 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080518001027/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Just-talk-says-Gorkss.4086004.jp |archive-date = 18 May 2008 |url-status = dead }} On 29 May, both he and fellow Blackpool player Wes Hoolahan were linked with a move to Norwich City.{{cite news |last = Canavan |first = Steve |title = Canaries eyeing up Seasiders stars |work = Blackpool Gazette |date = 29 May 2008 |url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Canaries-eyeing-up-Seasiders-stars.4130848.jp |access-date = 30 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080530140541/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Canaries-eyeing-up-Seasiders-stars.4130848.jp |archive-date = 30 May 2008 |url-status = dead }}

File:Kaspars Gorkšs.jpg in 2011]]

On 12 June 2008, Queens Park Rangers confirmed that they had made an official bid to sign Gorkšs.{{cite news |title= Londoners bid for Pool star |work= Blackpool Gazette |date= 12 June 2008 |url= http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Londoners-bid-for-Pool-star.4181018.jp |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130114022418/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Londoners-bid-for-Pool-star.4181018.jp |url-status= dead |archive-date= 14 January 2013 |access-date= 12 June 2008 }} 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.{{cite news |title = Club Statement |publisher = Blackpool F.C. |date = 17 June 2008 |url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1329720,00.html |access-date = 18 June 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081023231215/http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1329720,00.html |archive-date = 23 October 2008}} 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."{{cite news |title = FA to handle QPR Gorkss approach |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 17 June 2008 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7459857.stm |access-date = 18 June 2008}} 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",{{cite news |title= League may block Gorkss move |work= Blackpool Gazette |date=18 June 2008 |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/League-may-block-Gorkss-move.4195117.jp |access-date=18 June 2008}} and that the matter could be referred to a disciplinary commission.{{cite news |title= League wait on QPR response – Blackpool's Gorkss claim to be investigated |publisher= Sky Sports |date=18 June 2008 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11728_3706580,00.html |access-date=23 June 2008}}

On 4 July, it was incorrectly reported in the Latvian media that Gorkšs had signed a contract with QPR.{{cite news |title=Gorkšs arranges a deal with "QPR" |publisher= eSports |date=4 July 2008 |language=lv |url=http://esports.lv/futbols/legionari/04072008-gorkss_vienojas_ar_qpr?page=2#comments |access-date=4 July 2008}} 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."{{cite news |title = Oyston denies Gorkss QPR approach |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 4 July 2008 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7490557.stm |access-date = 9 July 2008}} 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.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7536333.stm "Blackpool seal deals for QPR pair" – BBC Sport] He scored his first goal on 7 November 2009 in their 2–1 away win against Sheffield Wednesday.{{cite news |title=Sheff Wed 1–2 QPR |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8340681.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=7 November 2009 |access-date=24 April 2012}}

In September 2010, he signed a two-year extension with the club.{{cite news |title=Gorkss extends Rangers deal |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_6368506,00.html |work=Skysports.com |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=24 April 2012}}

On 24 August 2011, Gorkšs signed for Reading on a three-year contract.{{cite web |title = Royals sign Kaspars Gorkss from QPR |url = http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2429720,00.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120805103336/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2429720,00.html |url-status=dead|archive-date = 5 August 2012 |publisher = readingfc.co.uk |date = 24 August 2011 |access-date = 24 August 2011}}

In his first season with the club he made 42 appearances in all competitions,2011–12 Reading F.C. season scoring three goals and helping Reading win the 2011–12 Football League Championship. This was the second time he had won the trophy having won it the previous year with QPR. He scored his first goal in the Premier League on 4 November 2012 in a 1–1 draw against his former side QPR.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20114103|title=Struggling QPR and Reading are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after playing out a disjointed draw at Loftus Road|publisher=bbc.co.uk|date=4 November 2012|access-date=11 February 2013}}

On 12 February 2013, Gorkšs joined Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on an emergency loan that ran until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent move at its conclusion.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21426540|title=Wolves: Reading defender Kaspars Gorkss signs on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 February 2013}} He made fifteen appearances for the club as they suffered relegation to League One.

Gorkšs was released by Reading at the end of the 2013–14 season having played 87 games for the club, scoring eight times.{{cite web|title=Jobi, Mikele & Kaspars to move on|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/mcanuff-leigertwood-gorkss-leave-060514-1539505.aspx|publisher=Reading FC|access-date=6 May 2014}}

Gorkšs signed a short-term contract with League One club Colchester United during the first week of December 2014, and went straight in to their first-team squad to face Peterborough United in the second round of the FA Cup on 7 December.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=7 December 2014 |title=U's sign experienced defender Gorkss |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/11651021._/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=7 December 2014}}{{cite web|title=U's Flash: Gorkss Signs|url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/colchester-united-have-signed-latvian-international-kaspars-gorkss-to-bolster-their-defensive-ranks-2128844.aspx|publisher=Colchester United F.C.|access-date=15 January 2015|date=7 December 2014}} He made an important block from an Aaron McLean attempt in the fixture, playing the full 90 minutes as the U's came out 1–0 victors and into the third round of the cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30266286 |title=Colchester 1–0 Peterborough |date=7 December 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=7 December 2014}} Gorkšs signed an extension to his short-term deal with the U's on 10 January, following doubt that he would remain with the club following his previous contracts expiry.{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=10 January 2015 |title=Kaspars Gorkss signs a new short term deal at Colchester United |url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/kaspars_gorkss_signs_a_new_short_term_deal_at_colchester_united_1_3912050 |newspaper=Green'Un |location=Ipswich |access-date=10 January 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053809/http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/kaspars_gorkss_signs_a_new_short_term_deal_at_colchester_united_1_3912050 |url-status=dead }}

Gorkšs scored his first goal for Colchester on 24 January in a crunch relegation battle game against Leyton Orient at the Colchester Community Stadium. He headed the ball home from a David Fox corner two minutes after the interval in the 2–0 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30860678 |title=Colchester 2–0 Leyton Orient |date=24 January 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=24 January 2015}}

On 29 January 2015, Gorkšs signed an 18-month contract with the Superleague Greece club Ergotelis.{{cite web |url=http://www.ergotelis.gr/gr/anakoinoseis/ston-ergoteli-o-kaspars-gorkss-5687 |title=Στον Εργοτέλη ο Kaspars Gorkss | language=el |date=29 January 2015 |publisher=Ergotelis FC |access-date=24 January 2015}} Gorkšs scored his first goal for Ergotelis in his second match for the club, securing a 3–2 victory in the Cretan derby over OFI Crete.{{cite web |url=http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/07022015-latvijas_izlases_kapteinim_gorksam_uzvara |title=Latvijas izlases kapteinim Gorkšam uzvaras vārti Krētas derbijā | language=lv |date=7 February 2015 |publisher=sportacentrs.com |access-date=8 February 2015}}

Gorkšs joined Czech First League side FK Dukla Prague in September 2015, signing a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/fotbalovou-duklu-posilil-lotyssky-stoper-gorkss-fvu-/fotbal.aspx?c=A150921_112042_fotbal_dc|title=Lotyše proti Česku vedl jako kapitán. Teď stoper Gorkšs posílil Duklu|language=cs|work=iDNES.cz|date=21 September 2015|access-date=22 September 2015}}

Gorkšs has played for the Latvian Under-21 team and he made his debut for Latvia on 24 December 2005 against Thailand in the 36th annual King's Cup in Phang Nga, Thailand.{{cite news |title= 2005. gads |language= lv |publisher= Latvian Football Federation |url=http://www.lff.lv/lv/aizlase/vesture/2005/ |access-date=21 June 2008}} On 11 October 2006, in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Northern Ireland, Gorkšs started the second half in place of Māris Smirnovs.{{cite news |last = McCaig |first = Alvin |title = Northern Ireland 1–0 Latvia |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 11 October 2006 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6042682.stm |access-date = 27 August 2007}} 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.{{cite web |title = Cyprus International Tournament 2007 |publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url = https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cypr-intltourn07.html |access-date = 20 August 2007}}{{cite web |title = Cyprus International Football Tournament 2007 – Cyprus |publisher = Futbol Planet |year = 2007 |url = http://www.futbolplanet.de/uefa/friendly_tournaments/cyprus_international_football_tournament_2007.htm |access-date = 20 August 2007}} On 28 March 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifier 1–0 defeat by Liechtenstein.{{cite news |title = Liechtenstein beats Latvia 1–0 |work = Fox Sports |date = 29 March 2007 |url = http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6620058? |access-date = 27 August 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031132/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6620058 |archive-date = 30 September 2007}} On 22 August 2007, Gorkšs played for Latvia in their friendly 2–1 defeat in Riga by Moldova.{{cite news |title = Latvia – Latest Match – Wed, August 22, 2007 |publisher = ESPN |date = 22 August 2007 |url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=456&cc=5739 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030320151032/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=456&cc=5739 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 20 March 2003 |access-date = 27 August 2007}} He scored his first goal for Latvia on 17 October 2007, against Denmark.{{cite news |title = Kaspars celebrates |publisher = Blackpool F.C. |date = 18 October 2007 |url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1145801,00.html |access-date = 18 October 2007}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

Gorkšs announced his retirement from the Latvia national football team on 31 October 2017.{{cite news|title=Latvian soccer captain Gorkšs hangs up his international boots|url=http://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/latvian-soccer-captain-gorkss-hangs-up-his-international-boots.a255698/|access-date=1 November 2017|agency=LETA|publisher=Public Broadcasting of Latvia|date=31 October 2017}}

Gorkšs has two children. His first child, a daughter Luīze, was born in 2005 and his second child, a son, Patriks, was born in Riga 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. In July 2012 Gorkšs opened a restaurant Koya, located in the Andrejsala district, Riga, Latvia.{{cite web |url=http://www.kasjauns.lv/lv/zinas/88171/futbolista-kaspara-gorksa-restorana-koya-atklasanas-verieniga-ballite-foto |title=Futbolista Kaspara Gorkša restorāna "Koya" atklāšanas vērienīgā ballīte. FOTO|publisher=kasjauns.lv|date= 18 July 2012|access-date=8 February 2015}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Latvia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gorkšs goal.

Ventspils

• Latvian Higher League champion: 2006

Blackpool

• League One play-off final winner: 2006–07

Queens Park Rangers

• Football League Championship Winners: Promotion to the FA Premier League: 2010–2011

Reading

• Football League Championship Winners: Promotion to the FA Premier League: 2011–2012

Individual

• Championship "Team of the Week" (6): 20 August 2007, 1 October 2007, 25 February 2008, 10 March 2008, 27 September 2010,{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} 16 April 2012.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
• Latvian Footballer of the Year: 2009, 2010

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{NFT|13052}}

{{Latvian Footballer of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gorkss, Kaspars}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Riga

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Latvian men's footballers

Category:21st-century Latvian sportsmen

Category:Latvia men's international footballers

Category:Latvian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Latvian Higher League players

Category:Allsvenskan players

Category:Superettan players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Super League Greece players

Category:Czech First League players

Category:FK Ventspils players

Category:Östers IF players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

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Category:Reading F.C. players

Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Colchester United F.C. players

Category:Ergotelis F.C. players

Category:FK Auda players

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Category:Latvian expatriate sportspeople in Sweden

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Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece

Category:Latvian sports executives and administrators