Vitālijs Maksimenko

Early career

As a youth player Vitālijs Maksimenko was a member of his local club – Skonto Riga Academy. At the age of 13 he moved to Daugava 90. In 2008 Maksimenko was taken to the club's first team Daugava Rīga. That year they became champions of the Latvian First League. Maksimenko made his first team debut in 2009. In mid-season, with nine Latvian Higher League appearances, Maksimenko went on for trials with the Russian Premier League clubs Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA Moscow. CSKA signed him on loan until the end of the season. He played several matches for the club's reserves.

Skonto Riga

At the start of 2010 Maksimenko began training with the Latvian Higher League club Skonto Riga. Leaving a good impression, he signed a contract with the club on 15 March 2010. Playing 25 matches in his debut season, Maksimenko helped Skonto become the champions of the Latvian Higher League. In 2011 they became the champions of Baltic League, and won the Latvian Football Cup in 2012. Skonto finished the 2012 season as the runners-up of the league, with Maksimenko being included in both – Latvian Football Federation and sportacentrs.com teams of the tournament. He was also named the best defender of the season, and later on voted as the best Skonto Riga player of the season.

Brighton and Hove Albion

At the end of 2012 Maksimenko went on trial with the English Football League Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion. In spite of interest from other Football…

Maksimenko has been a member of Latvian under-19 and under-21 levels. On 15 August 2012 he was firstly called from the Latvia national football team for a friendly match against Montenegro. Maksimenko made his full international debut on 6 February 2013 in a 3–0 friendly match defeat against Japan, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and replacing Vladimirs Kamešs.

International goals

Score and Result list Latvia's goal tally first

Skonto Riga

Latvian Higher League: 2010 Baltic League: 2010–11 Latvian Cup: 2011–12 Yeovil Town

Football League One play-offs: 2013 Olimpija Ljubljana

Slovenian Cup: 2018–19, 2020–21 Individual

Best defender of Latvian Higher League: 2012 Skonto Riga Player of the Season: 2012