| 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.
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]
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]
Richards has represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 international levels.[4]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| Aston Villa | 2023–24 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Stockport County (loan) | 2023–24 | League Two | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | 11 | 1 | ||||
| Career total | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 2 | |||
West Bromwich Albion U23
Stockport County