Latvia national football team captain Vitālijs Astafjevs is "happy to be back in the most popular club tournament in Europe" after joining FK Ventspils following a spell with Virsliga rivals Olimps/RFS.

'A great motivation'
The 38-year-old former Skonto FC, FK Austria Wien, Bristol Rovers FC, VfB Admira Wacker Mödling and FC Rubin Kazan midfielder has agreed a contract until the end of 2009 as he looks to help Ventspils in the UEFA Champions League, where the Latvian champions meet Luxembourg's F91 Dudelange in the second qualifying round. "The Champions League is a great motivation," Astafjevs told uefa.com. "I am happy to be back in the most popular club tournament in Europe."

European record
Astafjevs started the season in a player-coach role with Olimps but received the surprise offer from Ventspils in June. "Everything went very fast," said the 153-times capped international, who is closing in on the European record of 157 caps held by Estonia's Martin Reim. "I considered returning to my hometown club Skonto but they were not interested. However, Ventspils had not forgotten me. I hope to be useful to my new team."

Article from: www.uefa.com

Vitālijs Astafjevs with national team head coach Aleksandrs Starkovs
(foto: A.F.I. press foto)

Vitālijs Astafjevs against Estonia

Vitālijs Astafjevs holds the Baltic Cup trophy in 2008

Vitālijs Astafjevs (nr.3.) is a captain of Latvian national team

LFF Press department