Diego Rico

Zaragoza

Born in Burgos, Castile and León, Rico graduated from local CD Burgos Promesas 2000's youth system, where he started playing as a forward in the seven-a-side variation and later winger. In June 2011, he joined Real Zaragoza and was assigned to the Juvenil squad. Rico made his senior debut with the reserves, in 2011–12. He served mostly as a backup in his two seasons with the squad, the second ending in relegation. In the summer of 2013, Rico was promoted to the main squad and quickly overtook the habitual starter Abraham Minero. On 10 September he played his first match as a professional, starting in a 1–0 away loss against Deportivo Alavés in the second round of the Copa del Rey. He first appeared in the league four days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–0 home victory over CD Tenerife in the Segunda División. On 19 November 2013, Rico signed a five-year contract to stay at La Romareda. He scored his first professional goal the following month, the first of a 2–1 home win against Córdoba CF. Rico agreed to a new professional deal on 7 January 2016, becoming a full member of the first team and being assigned the no. 22 jersey. He finished the campaign with one goal in 39 matches, contributing to an eighth-place finish (they were placed fourth before the last fixture).

Leganés

On 17 August 2016, Rico joined La Liga side CD Leganés on a four-year contract for a rumoured fee of €1 million. He made his debut in the competition five days later,…

Rico is praised for his dead-ball delivery and the quality of his set pieces, and is usually assigned the role of corner and direct free kick taker on the pitch. Bournemouth teammate Callum Wilson described him as having a "wand of a left foot", and Howe commented that "someone with that strength of foot, he has real power in it, accuracy with it and it is a big asset.” Rico is also noted as being an excellent interceptor of the ball, and a generally strong defensive fullback. Late into 2019–20, he had the most interceptions of any player in the Premier League with 66.

As of match played 18 May 2024