Mikel Rico Moreno

Early years

Born in Arrigorriaga, Biscay, Rico was schooled in football at local clubs Padura Club and Danok Bat CF as a child. He then joined the ranks of neighbouring CD Basconia, which acted as a farm team of Athletic Bilbao; in April 2001 he appeared as a late substitute in one Tercera División match, where Joseba Arriaga and Andoni Iraola also featured. Rico moved to UB Conquense in 2003. Most of the first season was spent in their reserves, but the second, also in the Segunda División B, saw him feature regularly, attracting the attention of Polideportivo Ejido who signed him in 2005. Rico was loaned back to Conquense for 2005–06, which ended in relegation from the third level. He made his debut as a professional with Ejido in the following campaign, making 20 league appearances before being loaned out again, to SD Huesca. In 2007–08, Rico helped Huesca achieve promotion to division two via the play-offs. Afterwards, he returned to the Estadio Municipal Santo Domingo for one more season, still in the third tier.

Huesca and Granada

In summer 2009, Rico was signed permanently by Huesca. On 19 June 2010, he scored one of his five goals during the campaign in a 1–0 away win against RC Celta de Vigo, being crucial as the Aragonese finally avoided relegation. Rico joined fellow league side Granada CF on 31 August 2010, for €600,000 on a four-year deal. He posted similar individual numbers in his first year – 40 matches, two goals, nearly 3,500 minutes of…

Rico never earned any caps for Spain at any level. He did feature for the unofficial Basque Country regional team.

Athletic Bilbao

Supercopa de España: 2015 Huesca

Segunda División: 2019–20