Rigino Cicilia

Curaçaoan footballer (born 1994)

Rigino CiciliaPersonal information

Full name|  Rigino Cicilia[1]
Date of birth|  (1994-09-23) 23 September 1994 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth|  Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles[2]
Height|  1.97 m (6 ft 5+1⁄2 in)[3]
Position(s)|  Forward
Team information

Current team

|  Slovácko
Number|  22
Youth career
|  KVC Oranje
|  FC Kerkrade-West
|  Alemannia Aachen
|  Roda JC Kerkrade
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2013–2016|  Roda JC Kerkrade|  22|  (1)
2016|  → RKC Waalwijk (loan)|  23|  (6)
2016–2017|  Port Vale|  29|  (4)
2017–2018|  FK Sūduva|  32|  (8)
2019–2020|  FC Eindhoven|  28|  (11)
2020–2022|  Slovácko|  41|  (9)
2022–2023|  Heracles Almelo|  20|  (6)
2023–|  Slovácko|  21|  (3)
International career
2013|  Curaçao U20|  2|  (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:28, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Rigino Cicilia (born 23 September 1994) is a Curaçaoan footballer who plays as a forward for Czech First League club Slovácko.

He won two caps for the Curaçao under-20 team in 2013. A former youth team player at KVC Oranje, FC Kerkrade-West, and Alemannia Aachen, he turned professional at Roda JC Kerkrade and made his first-team debut in August 2014. He spent the 2015–16 season on loan at RKC Waalwijk. He joined the English club Port Vale in June 2016, remaining there for one season before he joined the Lithuanian side FK Sūduva in October 2017. He helped Sūduva to win the A Lyga title in 2017 and 2018 and to win the 2018 Lithuanian Supercup. He returned to the Netherlands to sign with FC Eindhoven in February 2019 and moved to the Czech Republic to join Slovácko in July 2020. He won the Czech Cup with Slovácko in 2022 and then returned to the Netherlands to sign with Heracles Almelo, helping the club to be crowned Eerste Divisie champions at the end of the 2022–23 season. He returned to Slovácko in July 2023.

## Club career

[edit]

### Roda JC Kerkrade

[edit]

Cicilia spent his youth with KVC Oranje, FC Kerkrade-West, and Alemannia Aachen (Germany) before joining the youth academy at Roda JC Kerkrade. He was one of a club record eight youth team players offered a professional contract at Roda JC in June 2013.[4] He made his debut in the Eerste Divisie (second tier) on 25 August 2014, coming on for Danny Schreurs 78 minutes into a 3–0 defeat to FC Volendam at the Kras Stadion.[5] He scored his first goal for the club on 23 September, in a 2–1 KNVB Cup victory over SC Heerenveen at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion.[6] Four days later he scored his first league goal, in a 2–1 win over Helmond Sport at the Stadion De Braak.[7] He ended the 2014–15 season with two goals in 23 appearances, though was not used in the play-offs as Roda JC beat NAC Breda to regain a place in the Eredivisie (first tier), and signed a new one-year contract in March 2015.[8]

He made two appearances in the Eredivisie as a substitute in August 2015 before joining Eerste Divisie club RKC Waalwijk on loan for the rest of the 2015–16 season.[9] He made a total of 24 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals, including a hat-trick in a 5–3 home defeat to Jong Ajax on 4 December, as RKC Waalwijk finished second-from-bottom in 18th place.[10] He was released by Roda JC in May 2016.[11] He had a trial at Austrian Bundesliga side SKN St. Pölten in June 2016.[12]

### Port Vale

[edit]

In June 2016, Cicilia signed a two-year contract with EFL League One club Port Vale.[13] He started just two of the opening ten games of the 2016–17 season and found himself competing with Martin Paterson behind Anton Forrester in the first-team pecking order; Cicilia said that additional conditioning work helped him to adjust to the physicality of the English game.[14] He scored his first goal for the club on 22 October, and then won a penalty, as the "Valiants" came from behind to draw 2–2 with Oxford United at Vale Park.[15] His size and unconventional playing style quickly made him a 'cult hero' for Vale fans, who nicknamed him 'Reggie'.[16][17] However, Bruno Ribeiro rarely played Cicilia form the start of matches, believing him to be more of an impact substitute.[18] He was sidelined with a calf strain injury in February.[19] He returned to action after a four-week absence, but failed to add to his goal tally, and was sent off for two bookable offence on the final home game of the season – a 2–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 22 April; caretaker manager Michael Brown said that the sending off was harsh.[20] He left Port Vale following the club's relegation in May 2017 after he and Brown came to a mutual agreement to end his contract.[21]

### FK Sūduva

[edit]

In October 2017, Cicilia signed with Lithuanian A Lyga club FK Sūduva.[22] He played three games for the "Suvalkiečiai" in 2017 as they won the league for the first time in their history. He played and scored in the 2018 Lithuanian Supercup as Sūduva recorded a 5–0 victory over Stumbras.[23] On 11 July, he scored his first career hat-trick as Sūduva beat Cypriot champions APOEL 3–1 at the Sūduva Stadium in the first leg of the first round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League; he completed his hat-trick within 19 minutes of the kick-off.[24] He was named in A Lyga's Team of the Month for June and July. However, this was reportedly primarily because it was a poor month for attackers in the division.[25] Sūduva went on to retain their league title in 2018.

### FC Eindhoven

[edit]

On 19 February 2019, Cicilia signed with Eerste Divisie side FC Eindhoven on a contract to run until summer 2020.[26] Head coach David Nascimento stated that "He is a big boy, physically strong, good at the ball and someone who can score a goal".[27] He had to wait 12 games before scoring his first goal of the 2019–20 season, at which point he scored four goals in two games against AZ Alkmaar II and SBV Excelsior.[28] He ended the campaign with 11 goals in 31 games for the "Blauw-witten", before his contract was terminated on 1 April due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.[29]

### Slovácko

[edit]

On 1 July 2020, Cicilia joined Czech First League club Slovácko on a two-year contract; head coach Martin Svědík signed him to replace departing striker Tomáš Zajíc.[30] He scored three goals in 20 appearances throughout the 2020–21 season, helping Slovácko to qualify for the new UEFA Europa Conference League with a fourth-place league finish.[31] He scored six goals from 23 league appearances in the 2021–22 season, and also scored two goals in four games in the club's Czech Cup campaign[31] Slovácko won the competition for the first time by beating Sparta Prague 3–1 in the final, and Cicilia said that: "the season was hard, a little up and down for me. I'm proud of the boys for how they did it".[32] Cicilia left Slovácko without saying goodbye two weeks before end of his contract.[33]

### Heracles Almelo

[edit]

On 11 August 2022, Cicilia joined Eerste Divisie club Heracles Almelo on a two-year contract.[34] He scored six goals in twenty league games as Heracles Almelo secured promotion as 2022–23 Eerste Divisie champions.[31] On 2 July 2023, his contract with Heracles was terminated by mutual consent.[35]

### Return to Slovácko

[edit]

On 11 July 2023, Cicilia rejoined Slovácko on a two-year contract.[36] He scored three goals in 23 games during the 2023–24 campaign.[31]

## International career

[edit]

Cicilia was named in the Curaçao U20 squad for the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico, and played both games at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla City; a 3–0 defeat to Mexico and a 2–1 defeat to El Salvador.[37]

## Style of play

[edit]

Cicilia is a 1.97 m (6 ft 5+1⁄2 in) forward, but despite his size is a goal poacher rather than a target man.[38]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 5 May 2024
Club  | Season  | Division  | League  | National Cup  | League Cup  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Roda JC Kerkrade | 2013–14[39] | Eredivisie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2014–15[39] | Eerste Divisie | 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2
2015–16[39] | Eredivisie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
Total  | 22 | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2
RKC Waalwijk (loan)  | 2015–16[39] | Eerste Divisie | 23 | 6 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 24 | 7
Port Vale | 2016–17[40] | EFL League One | 29 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 35 | 5
FK Sūduva | 2017[31] | A Lyga | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0
2018[31] | A Lyga | 29 | 8 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 9[b] | 4 | 40 | 12
Total  | 32 | 8 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 4 | 43 | 12
FC Eindhoven | 2018–19[31] | Eerste Divisie | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1
2019–20[31] | Eerste Divisie | 28 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 11
Total  | 39 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 12
Slovácko | 2020–21[31] | Czech First League | 18 | 3 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3
2021–22[31] | Czech First League | 23 | 6 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 2[c] | 0 | 29 | 8
Total  | 41 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 11
Heracles Almelo | 2022–23[31] | Eerste Divisie | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6
Slovácko  | 2023–24[31] | Czech First League | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 22 | 3
2024–25[31] | Czech First League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total  | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 3
Career total  | 227 | 49 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 260 | 58

1. ^ Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy
2. ^ 1 appearance and 1 goal in the Lithuanian Supercup, 4 appearances and 3 goals in the UEFA Champions League, and 4 appearances in the UEFA Europa League
3. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Conference League

## Honours

[edit]

Individual

* A Lyga Team of the Month: June/July 2018[25]

FK Sūduva

* A Lyga: 2017[31]
* Lithuanian Supercup: 2018[23]

Slovácko

* Czech Cup: 2022[32]

Heracles Almelo

* Eerste Divisie: 2022–23[31]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "List of players under written contract registered between 01/07/2016 and 31/07/2016" (PDF). The Football Association. p. 33. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
2. ^ a b "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2016/2017". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
3. ^ "Cicilia becomes the second signing under the Bruno Ribeiro era". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
4. ^ "Contract voor jeugdspelers Roda JC Kerkrade". rodajc.nl (in Dutch). Roda JC. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
5. ^ "Volendam vs. Roda JC 3 - 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
6. ^ "Roda JC vs. Heerenveen 2 - 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
7. ^ "Helmond Sport vs. Roda JC 1 - 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
8. ^ "Roda JC verlengt contracten Faik, Paulissen, Werker en Cicilia". rodajc.nl (in Dutch). Roda JC. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
9. ^ "RKC Waalwijk huurt spits Rigino Cicilia van Roda JC Kerkrade". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). 31 August 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
10. ^ "RKC Waalwijk vs. Ajax II 3 - 5". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
11. ^ "Overzicht contracten Roda JC spelers". rodajc.nl (in Dutch). Roda JC. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
12. ^ "St. Pölten testing storm talent from Curacao". fussball-imnetz.at (in German). 18 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
13. ^ Baggaley, Mike (30 June 2016). "Port Vale sign striker Rigino Cicilia". The Sentinel. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
14. ^ Baggaley, Mike (21 September 2016). "Port Vale: Rigino Cicilia playing way into first team contention". The Sentinel. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
15. ^ Baggaley, Mike (24 October 2016). "Port Vale: Brown hopes Cicilia goal is a turning point". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
16. ^ Baggaley, Mike (22 November 2016). "Port Vale 2, Oldham 2 REPORT: Big Reg Cicilia makes a point". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
17. ^ "Rigino Cicilia: Port Vale's Caribbean striker from Curacao wins over fans in Burslem". BBC Sport. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
18. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 November 2016). "Port Vale boss Ribeiro says Cicilia is best as super sub for now". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
19. ^ Baggaley, Mike (19 February 2017). "Port Vale: Rigino Cicilia sidelined with injury, Valiants confirm". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
20. ^ Baggaley, Mike (22 April 2017). "Port Vale 0, Bolton 2: Brown says harsh red card turned game". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
21. ^ "Port Vale: Thirteen senior players leave club after relegation to League Two". BBC Sport. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
22. ^ Baggaley, Michael (2 October 2017). "Former Port Vale striker Rigino Cicilia agrees deal with Lithuanian high flyers". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
23. ^ a b "Marijampolės "Sūduva" | A Lyga | Aukščiausia Lietuvos futbolo lyga". alyga.lt. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
24. ^ "UEFA Champions League - Sūduva-APOEL". UEFA.com. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
25. ^ a b "Birželio–liepos mėnesio rinktinėje dominuoja "Stumbro" futbolininkai | A Lyga | Aukščiausia Lietuvos futbolo lyga". alyga.lt. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
26. ^ Dal, Thomas (19 February 2019). "Clubloze Rigino Cicilia mogelijk de nieuwe spits van FC Eindhoven". ed.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 April 2019.
27. ^ Dal, Thomas (20 February 2019). "FC Eindhoven heeft met Rigino Cicilia de gewenste spits binnen". ed.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 April 2019.
28. ^ Dal, Thomas (31 October 2019). "Rigino Cicilia leidt FC Eindhoven met eerste seizoenstreffers voorbij Jong AZ". ED.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 April 2020.
29. ^ Dal, Thomas (31 March 2020). "FC Eindhoven has formally canceled ten expiring contracts with Zé Pedro and Swinkels". ED.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 April 2020.
30. ^ "Slovácko má střelce z Eindhovenu! Bude obr lepší než krajan Van Kessel?". Blesk (in Czech). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Rigino Cicilia at Soccerway
32. ^ a b Kopl, Libor (19 May 2022). "Fotbalisté Slovácka zapíjeli triumf na Slunci. Sadílek brečel, "Šumi" děkoval". Deník (in Czech). Retrieved 21 May 2022.
33. ^ Koštuřík, Michal (22 June 2022). "Cicilia se vypařil, se Slováckem už netrénuje. Nevím, kde je, říká manažer". Blesk (in Czech). Retrieved 12 August 2022.
34. ^ Procházka, Václav (11 August 2022). "Ztracený útočník? V Česku ho neuvidíme, ale už se našel". sport.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 12 August 2022.
35. ^ "Rigino Cicilia Vertrekt Bij Heracles Almelo" (in Dutch). Heracles Almelo. 2 July 2023.
36. ^ "Rigino Cicilia je zpět!" (in Czech). 1\. FC Slovácko. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
37. ^ "A1-spits Rigino Cicilia definitief opgeroepen voor nationale selectie". rodajc.n (in Dutch). Roda JC. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
38. ^ Baggaley, Mike (25 November 2016). "Port Vale fan's view: Why midfield is Bruno's biggest problem". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
39. ^ a b c d "Profile". vi.nl. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
40. ^ "Games played by Rigino Cicilia in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Rigino Cicilia at Fortunaliga.cz

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