Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos (Portuguese: [ʀi.ˈkaɾ.du ɐ.lɨ.ˈʃɐ̃.dɾɨ al.ˈmej.dɐ ˈsɐ̃.tuʃ]; born 18 June 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL Championship club Swansea City. Born in Portugal, he represents the Cape Verde national team.
 Santos playing for Barnet in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 June 1995[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Almada, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)[3] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Swansea City | ||
| Number | 23 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2012 | Dagenham & Redbridge | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2013 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 0 | (0) |
| 2013 | → Billericay Town (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2013 | Dover Athletic | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Thurrock | 19 | (1) |
| 2014–2016 | Peterborough United | 63 | (1) |
| 2017–2020 | Barnet | 84 | (6) |
| 2020–2025 | Bolton Wanderers | 172 | (4) |
| 2025– | Swansea City | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2025– | Cape Verde | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21:49, 22 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 00:56, 15 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editSantos was a youth team player at Dagenham & Redbridge, making one appearance in the matchday squad,[4] before he was released and signed by Thurrock manager Mark Stimson, following a spell at Dover Athletic where he made no appearances.[4] He impressed for the Isthmian League club, making 24 appearances,[5] and was signed by Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on a three-and-a-half-year contract in February 2014.[6] Peterborough paid £8000 for him.[7] He made his League One debut on 3 May in a 0–0 draw with Port Vale at London Road.[8] Santos scored his first goal for the club when he scored a late winner against Doncaster Rovers on 19 March 2016.[9]
On 1 January 2017, Santos joined Barnet for a fee of £100,000.[10] He made his debut on the following day in a 1–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. He left the club at the end of the 2019–20 season having spent two and a half seasons with the Bees, making 94 appearances, scoring six goals.[11]
Bolton Wanderers
editSantos signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal on 3 August 2020.[12] His debut came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup.[13] On 1 March 2021, Santos signed a new contract with Bolton until 2023.[14] He was named as EFL League Two Player of the Month for February 2021.[15] On 21 May 2021, following the team's direct promotion to the EFL League One, he was announced to have been voted as Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.[16] Plus, he was named in the league's Team of the Year, together with his team-mate Eoin Doyle.[17]
On 22 October 2021, following the sudden departure of Antoni Sarcevic to Stockport County, Santos was appointed by manager Ian Evatt as Bolton's new captain.[18] He was named in the Team of the Year for the second consecutive year, this time in League One, for the 2021–22 season.[19] On 26 May 2022, Santos signed a new three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers which would keep him at the club until 2025.[20]
On 11 February 2023, Santos scored his first goals for Bolton with a brace in a 5–0 win at his former team Peterborough United, Bolton's 5000th league game.[21] On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final which Bolton won 4–0 against Plymouth Argyle.[22] He was named in both the EFL[23] and PFA[24] Teams of the Season for the 2022–23 season, the third season in a row he had been named in Teams of the Year. A year later, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year again, his fourth consecutive appearance.[25]
On 21 September 2024, Bolton manager Ian Evatt announced that Santos would be replaced as captain by George Thomason for the 2024–25 season.[26] On 7 May 2025, the club confirmed that Santos would leave at the end of his contract,[27] having made 207 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions for them.[27][28]
Swansea City
editOn 6 June 2025, Santos agreed to join Championship side Swansea City on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract set to be effective from 1 July.[29][30] During a pre-season friendly away to Cheltenham, Santos hyper-extended his leg, causing him to miss significant time with injury.[31] Santos played only one game by January 2026, leading Swansea to accept a bid from Reading.[32] The move fell through however, after he failed a medical.[33]
International career
editBorn in Portugal, Santos is of Cape Verdean descent.[28]
In May 2025, he accepted a call-up to the Cape Verde national team for a set of friendlies against Malaysia and Georgia.[28][34] He played for the Tubarões Azuis on 3 June in a behind closed doors training match, playing 90 minutes in a 3–0 win over Malaysia. As it was a training match, it wasn't considered an official appearance.[35][36]
Santos made his official debut for Cape Verde in a friendly against Egypt on 17 November 2025.[37]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 12 April 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Dagenham & Redbridge | 2012–13[38] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Billericay Town (loan) | 2012–13[39] | Conference South | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Thurrock | 2013–14[40] | IL Division One North | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| Peterborough United | 2013–14[41] | League One | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15[42] | League One | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| 2015–16[43] | League One | 37 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 43 | 1 | |
| 2016–17[44] | League One | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 63 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 75 | 1 | ||
| Barnet | 2016–17[44] | League Two | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | League Two | 42 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
| 2018–19 | National League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | National League | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[c] | 0 | 27 | 1 | ||
| Total | 84 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 94 | 6 | ||
| Bolton Wanderers | 2020–21[45] | League Two | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| 2021–22[46] | League One | 37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2022–23[47] | League One | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7[d] | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| 2023–24[48] | League One | 34 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[e] | 1 | 45 | 2 | |
| 2024–25[49] | League One | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| Total | 172 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 207 | 6 | ||
| Career total | 342 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 403 | 14 | ||
- ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy
- 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in EFL Trophy
- ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League playoffs
- ↑ Five appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
- ↑ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearance in League One play-offs
Honours
editBolton Wanderers
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2020–21[50][45]
- EFL Trophy: 2022–23[22]
Individual
References
edit- ↑ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Ricardo Santos". 11v11. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ricardo Santos". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- 1 2 Munford, Colin (5 February 2014). "Former Daggers defender joins Peterborough United". Barking and Dagenham Post. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ↑ "Club not live". pitchero.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ↑ "Peterborough sign Portuguese defender Ricardo Santos". BBC Sport. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ↑ The Bolton News: Why Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony wants Bolton's Ricardo Santos to say 'sorry': "We got Rico from Thurrock and paid eight grand for him"
- ↑ "Peterborough 0-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ↑ "Doncaster 1–2 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ↑ "Barnet complete Santos signing". barnetfc.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ↑ "Club update". barnetfc.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ↑ "Evatt Recruits Portuguese Defender". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ↑ "Report: Bolton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ↑ BWFC.co.uk: "Almeida Santos signs new deal"
- 1 2 "Manager and Defender win Sky Bet monthly awards". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- 1 2 Bolton Wanderers: "Ricardo Almeida Santos Named As Bolton Wanderers' 2020/21 Player Of The Year"
- ↑ "🏆 Wanderers duo named in PFA League Two Team of the Year". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ↑ "Santos Gets Captain's Job". bwfc.co.uk. 22 October 2021.
- 1 2 The PFA: "PFA League One Team of the Year"
- ↑ "Done Deal As Captain Commits". bwfc.co.uk. 26 May 2022.
- ↑ The Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt's joy at Ricardo Santos first goals"
- 1 2 Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- 1 2 "EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- 1 2 "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- 1 2 "PFA League One Team of the Year". PFA. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ↑ Iles, Marc (21 September 2024). "Bolton Wanderers appoint George Thomason as new captain". The Bolton News. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- 1 2 "Farewell to Rico and Geth". bwfc.co.uk. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 Iles, Marc (4 June 2025). "Ex-Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos set for Championship move". The Bolton News. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ↑ "Swansea City agree signing of Ricardo Santos". www.swanseacity.com. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Ricardo Santos: Swansea City sign ex-Bolton Wanderers defender". BBC Sport. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ↑ "Swansea City dealt Ricardo Santos blow as Alan Sheehan delivers injury update". BBC Sport. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ↑ Santos close to leaving Swansea for Reading
- ↑ Ex-Bolton Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos sees Reading move collapse
- ↑ "Tubarões Azuis disputam amigáveis com Malásia e Geórgia – Convocados" [Blue Sharks to play friendlies with Malaysia and Georgia – Squad]. fcf.cv (in Portuguese). 20 May 2025.
- ↑
- ↑ "Instagram".
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cjd0vdm9de9t#CapeVerde
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2012/2013 for Billericay Town". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2013/2014 for Thurrock". Thurrock F.C. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- 1 2 "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- 1 2 "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ↑ Soccerbase: League Two 2020/21 Table
- ↑ The PFA: "PFA League Two Team of the Year"
External links
edit
- Ricardo Santos at Soccerway