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Somewhat of a shock move!
QPR Official Site EXCLUSIVE: LATVIAN ACE PENS DEAL
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Latvian international defender Kaspars Gorkss.
The 26 year-old has put pen to paper on a three year deal, after the R's agreed an undisclosed fee with Blackpool for his services.
Rangers beat off stiff competition from a host of Championship Clubs for the defender's signature, to the delight of First Team Coach Iain Dowie.
"Kaspars knows we intend to play good, attractive football, and he wants to be a part of it," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We've signed an international defender who has a great physical presence, good pace and is comfortable on the ball. He's an ambitious lad who wants to take his game forward."
Dowie added: "He had a fantastic season last year with Blackpool and I consider him to be an excellent acquisition for now, and for the future.
"We've got very good value for money with this deal owing to a certain figure which was in his contract, so we are delighted with that.
"His presence adds great competition for places across the backline, and that's exactly what I am after."
Gorkss, who has 10 international caps to his name, expressed his delight at the move, commenting: "This is a very ambitious Club and, as a player, you always want to play for a Club with ambition.
"I believe we have a great chance of achieving a lot this coming season.
"I spoke with Iain Dowie and he is very excited about the new campaign. He wants to achieve a lot, and I think his energy, matched with the new ambition of QPR, is a great combination.
"My dream is to play in the Premiership and I believe I can do that with QPR - that's one of the main reasons why I came here." Official Site
BLACKPOOL OFFICIAL SITE Transfer Latest
Kaspars Gorkss officially joined Queens Park Rangers on Thursday evening, when he penned a three year deal with the Loftus Road club. As well as receiving a transfer fee that under League regulation 42.2 will remain undisclosed, the Seasdiers have also secured the services of Welsh international striker Daniel Nardiello who has signed a two year deal with an option for a third year and Pakistan international captain Zesh Rehman who has joined the club on loan until January, with Pool having first option on either extending the loan or signing the defender on a permanent basis. The agreement will also see Pool withdraw their complaint against QPR for the alleged illegal approach made to Kaspars Gorkss.
Gorkss arrived at Bloomfield on New Years Day in 2007 from Latvian champions Ventspils after Simon Grayson had spotted the Latvian international on a scouting mission to the former Soviet state. The 26-year-old made his debut five days later as a second half substitute in Pool's 4-2 FA Cup win over Aldershot seven days later he made his English Football League debut in a 2-1 over Port Vale at Bloomfield Road. He went on to make further 11 appearances during the Seasiders promotion season. Last season Gorkss established himself as a regular in the Pool back four making 44 League and Cup appearances. The big defender also weighed in with some crucial goals including a brace in the Carling Cup at Derby...
Nards.....
Zesh
The final piece of the jigsaw sees Pakistan International captain Zesh Rehman join on loan for six months, Simon Grayson has the option to extend the loan until the end of the season or make the move permanent.
The 25-year-old is a product of the Fulham Youth Academy and has also represented England at Under 17 and Under 20 level.
Rehman made his Fulham debut in a 1-0 League Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic in September 2003 and was the centre of a lot of media attention from British Asian groups for being one of the first Asian players to play in the top division of English football.
A week after making his Fulham debut Rehman joined Brighton on loan for three months where he made 13 appearances and scoring twice.
The following season back at Craven Cottage Rehman made 17 Premiership starts, the following season he started the season for the Cottagers but after half a dozen games Zesh found himself in the reserves and ended the season at Norwich where he made five appearances.
Desperate for regular first team football the centre back who, has also played at right back and as a holding midfielder joined Queens Park Rangers, once again he started the season and made 27 appearances, but once again the season ended with a loan move this time back to Brighton where he made 8 appearances.
Last season Rehman made 17 starts and a further 4 as substitute but found himself back in the reserves following the arrival of free spending chairman Flavio Briatore.
Having travelled down from Scotland on Tuesday to discuss the move and watch Pool's game with St Mirren, Rehman made a whistle stop trip back to his London home on Wednesday and was back in the North West on Thursday to finalise the paperwork.
Blackpool
[Note: Blackpool spoke of "transfer fee that under League regulation 42.2 will remain undisclosed." Thanks to a kind boardposter: From Football League Regulations "42.2 All transfer fees shall be treated as private and confidential." Football League Regulations
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - NARDIELLO DEPARTS
Danny Nardiello has left Queens Park Rangers Football Club, after the striker's contract was terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect.
The 25 year-old joined the R's in June 2007 from Barnsley. He made a total of eight appearances during his time in W12.
Everyone at the Club would like to wish him every success in the future. QPR
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - REHMAN JOINS SEASIDERS ON LOAN
R's defender Zesh Rehman has joined Blackpool on a six-month loan deal.
The 24 year-old, who joined the Hoops from Fulham for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2006, made 22 appearances in all competitions last season.
Rangers Assistant Manager, Tim Flowers, told www.qpr.co.uk: "Zesh has been first class since the first day of pre-season, but it's clear we've got an abundance of high quality centre-backs at the Club and he knows he's slightly behind in the pecking order at the moment. "It's important that he gets some games under his belt though and he'll get that opportunity at Blackpool.
"We wish him all the best for his six month spell, because he's a top lad and a first class professional who deserves to be playing football week in, week out."
The Pakistani international was rewarded for his work in the community at the end of last season, by scooping the Community Commitment award at the Club's annual Player of the Year showcase. QPR
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - KASPARS GORKSS: IN PROFILE
Latvian-born defender Kaspars Gorkss began his professional career in his homeland with FK Auda, for whom he scored nine goals in 77 league appearances.
A three year stint at Swedish top-flight side Osters IF followed, before Assyriska Föreningen swooped for his services in 2005.
Gorkss went on to make 23 league starts in the Allsvenskan, prior to moving back to Latvia in 2006, where he signed for FK Ventspils.
The combative defender scored five goals for his new Club in their Championship winning season of 2006, and also featured against Newcastle United in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Gorkss' reward for an impressive season arrived in the shape of a move to England with Blackpool, who he joined on the opening day of the 2007 January transfer window.
His form since arriving on these shores has been quite astounding, at both Club and international level.
Gorkss scored seven goals in all competitions for the Seasiders last season and opened his goalscoring account for Latvia against Denmark last October." QPR