Bring In The Latvians

[Eddie Hitler]

Time for Gary to use his contacts now we're up at decent level. This one looks half decent and, at £125k, affordable (though it's written ambiguously, that may be the loan deal rather than the registration transfer cost). Better than Pahars eh?

Māris Verpakovskis (born October 15, 1979) is a striker currently playing for Getafe CF and the Latvia national football team.

Verpakovskis was born in Liepāja, Latvia and began his youth career with local side Baltika, before starting his professional career with FHK Liepājas Metalurgs. In late 2000, at the age of 21 he signed for leading Riga club Skonto FC.

He rose to international prominence as the highest goalscorer for Latvia in their successful Euro 2004 qualification campaign, with 6 goals in 10 matches. Verpakovskis' performances in qualification notified clubs in western and Eastern Europe, eventually he signed a 5-year contract with Dynamo Kyiv in December 2003.

He scored once for Latvia in Euro 2004 and nearly scored what would have been the goal of the tournament against Germany, dribbling on a weaving run from the half way and beating four German players. Verpakovskis is regarded as the most popular Latvian footballer having surpassed the injury prone Marian Pahars as his country's most recognisable player.

Verpakovskis was voted Player of the Year by Dynamo supporters in his first season (2004) but lost his place in the starting line up during the 2005 campaign.

Spanish side Getafe CF signed Verpakovskis on a 6-months loan until the end of the current season for the value of US $250,000, with a possible permanent deal in July 2007.

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