Kaspars Gorkšs

Early career

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. 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 five 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.

Blackpool

Gorkšs moved to Championship side Blackpool on 1 January 2007, having already agreed the transfer during December. On 20 August 2007, Gorkšs was named in the Press Association's 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 the second 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 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,…

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. 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. 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 qualifier 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 announced his retirement from the Latvia national football team on 31 October 2017.

Club

International

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

Gorkšs has two children. His first child, a daughter Luīze, was born in 2005 and his 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.