Rico Richards Explained

Rico Richards
Fullname:Rico Dean Scott Richards[1]
Birth Date:27 September 2003
Birth Place:West Bromwich, England[2]
Height:1.82m (05.97feet)[3]
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Aston Villa
Clubnumber:46
Youthyears1:2010–2021
Youthclubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Aston Villa
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2024
Clubs3:Stockport County (loan)
Caps3:11
Goals3:1
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2020
Nationalteam3:England U18
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:12:55, 9 July 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:20:34, 3 July 2023 (UTC)

Rico Dean Scott Richards (born 27 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa.

Richards is a product of the West Bromwich Albion academy but only made two senior appearances for the club before departing on a free transfer to Aston Villa in July 2023. He has previously represented England at U16, U17, and U18 levels.

Club career

West Bromwich Albion

Richards joined the youth academy of West Bromwich Albion as a seven year old, and signed his first professional contract with the club on 4 August 2020.[4] He made his debut for the club on 25 August 2021, starting in a 6–0 EFL Cup second round defeat to Arsenal.[5] Richards made his league debut for the club on 3 March 2023, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute in a 2–0 loss away at Hull.[6]

Aston Villa

On 3 July 2023, Richards joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after the expiry of his West Bromwich Albion contract.[7]

On 18 January 2024, he joined League Two leaders Stockport County on loan until the end of the season.[8] On 29 March 2024, Richards scored his first goal in senior football, in a 3–0 league victory over Forest Green Rovers.[9]

International career

Richards has represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 international levels.[4]

Career statistics

[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Bromwich Albion2020–21Premier League0000002020
2021–22Championship0000100010
2022–23Championship1000000010
Total1000102040
Aston Villa2023–24Premier League0000003131
Stockport County (loan)2023–24League Two111111
Career total121001051182

Honours

West Bromwich Albion U23

Stockport County

2023–24[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 20 October 2020 . 2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed . 25 August 2021 . premierleague.com . Premier League . en.
  2. Web site: Who is Rico Richards and why is his new deal so important for West Brom?. Steve. Madeley. The Athletic.
  3. Web site: Rico Richards Stats. FBref.com.
  4. Web site: Rico pledges future to Albion | West Bromwich Albion. www.wba.co.uk.
  5. News: Chapman . Joseph . 25 August 2021 . West Brom v Arsenal team news as Ismael hands out five debuts . . 25 August 2021.
  6. News: 2023-03-02 . Championship: Hull 2-0 West Brom - O'Shea scores own goal . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-03-03.
  7. Web site: 2023-07-03 . Rico Richards joins Villa Academy . 2023-07-03 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  8. Web site: Villa forward joins on loan. www.stockportcounty.com. 18 January 2024. 18 January 2024.
  9. News: 29 March 2024 . Forest Green Rovers 0-3 Stockport County . 4 April 2024 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  10. Web site: England - R. Richards - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway . 2023-07-03 . uk.soccerway.com.
  11. Web site: Masi . Joseph . 13 May 2022 . West Brom win Black Country derby PL Cup final in dramatic penalty shoot-out . 2022-08-27 . www.shropshirestar.com . en.
  12. https://www.stockportcounty.com/join-us-in-league-one-next-season/