Fran Rico

Fran Rico
Personal information
Full nameFrancisco Manuel Rico Castro
Date of birth3 August 1987
Place of birthPortonovo, Spain
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Granada
Number4
Youth career
1997–2001Portonovo
2001–2005Pontevedra
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2005–2008Pontevedra63(3)
2008–2011Real Madrid B52(11)
2011–Granada73(7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 February 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rico and the second or maternal family name is Castro.

Francisco Manuel "Fran" Rico Castro (born 3 August 1987) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Granada CF as a midfielder.

Club career

Pontevedra

Born in Portonovo, Pontevedra, Rico joined local Pontevedra CF's youth ranks at the age of 14, making his senior debut on 18 December 2005 in a Segunda División B match against CD San Isidro.[1]

Mainly a substitute in his first year, he became an important part of the Galicians' squad in the following seasons.

Real Madrid

In the 2008 summer Rico joined Real Madrid, being assigned to the reserve team also in the third division. He made his debut on 31 August, scoring the first goal in a 2–0 win at UD Vecindario.[2] On 14 September, in only his third appearance, against CD Alfaro, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury only eight minutes after the start of the match, being lost for the rest of the campaign.[3]

Thirteen months after his injury Rico played his first game of the season, against RSD Alcalá. On 8 November 2009, less than one month later, he scored twice against Gimnástica de Torrelavega in a 4–2 home victory.[4]

In the first round of 2010–11 Rico found the net against Coruxo FC, in a 3–2 home win.[5] He scored a career-best six goals during the campaign, including one in the unsuccessful promotion playoffs.

Granada

On 5 August 2011 Rico left Castilla and signed for Granada CF, with Real Madrid retaining an option for the player in case of a future transfer.[6] On 25 September he scored his first La Liga goal in only his second league game for his new club: after replacing Moisés Hurtado at half-time, he netted the equalizer in an eventual 1–1 home draw against CA Osasuna.[7]

In April 2012, Rico was sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering another injury to his right knee.[8][9] He also missed the entirety of the following campaign.[10]

Rico was an ever-present figure for the Andalusians in 2013–14, with his side narrowly avoiding relegation. On 26 February 2015 he renewed his link with the club, until 2020.[11]

Club statistics

As of 15 February 2015[12]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pontevedra 2005–06 31 31
2006–07 241 241
2007–08 36130391
Total 63330663
Real Madrid B 2008–09 3131
2009–10 184184
2010–11 316316
Total 52115211
Granada 2011–12 19210202
2012–13 000000
2013–14 32210332
2014–15 21210222
Total 72630756
Career totals 187206019320

References

External links