Rico Richards

English footballer

Rico Richards

Richards in July 2022

Personal information
Full name|  Rico Dean Scott Richards[1]
Date of birth|  (2003-09-27) 27 September 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth|  West Bromwich, England[2]
Height|  6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)[3]
Position(s)|  Midfielder
Team information

Current team

|  Aston Villa
Youth career
2010–2021|  West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2021–2023|  West Bromwich Albion|  1|  (0)
2023–|  Aston Villa|  0|  (0)
International career‡
2019|  England U16|  4|  (1)
2019|  England U17|  3|  (1)
2020|  England U18|  2|  (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:34, 3 July 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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 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[edit]

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][6] 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.[7]

On 3 July 2023, Richards joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after the expiry of his West Bromwich Albion contract.[8]

## International career[edit]

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

## Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 7 November 2023[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  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[a] | 0 | 2 | 0
2021–22 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
2022–23 | 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[a] | 1 | 3 | 1
Career total  | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 1

1. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy

## Honours[edit]

West Bromwich Albion U23

* Premier League Cup: 2021–22[10]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". premierleague.com. Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
2. ^ Madeley, Steve. "Who is Rico Richards and why is his new deal so important for West Brom?". The Athletic.
3. ^ "Rico Richards Stats". FBref.com.
4. ^ a b "Rico pledges future to Albion | West Bromwich Albion". www.wba.co.uk.
5. ^ Chapman, Joseph (25 August 2021). "West Brom v Arsenal team news as Ismael hands out five debuts". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
6. ^ "Games played by Rico Richards in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
7. ^ "Championship: Hull 2-0 West Brom - O'Shea scores own goal". BBC Sport. 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
8. ^ "Rico Richards joins Villa Academy". Aston Villa Football Club. 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
9. ^ "England - R. Richards - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
10. ^ Masi, Joseph (13 May 2022). "West Brom win Black Country derby PL Cup final in dramatic penalty shoot-out". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 2022-08-27.

## External links[edit]

* Rico Richards at Soccerway

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals