Antonis Rikka

Anthony Stavros Ricca (Greek: Αντώνης Σταύρος Ρίκκα; born 3 March 1986), most known as Antonis Rikka, is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Antonis Rikka
Personal information
Full name Anthony Stavros Ricca[1]
Date of birth (1986-03-03) 3 March 1986
Place of birth Marseille, France
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
–2005 Marseille
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Marseille 0 (0)
2006–2008 Skoda Xanthi 27 (1)
2006–2007 → Niki Volos (loan) 29 (0)
2008–2013 AEK Athens 31 (0)
2010–2011 → Olympiacos Volos (loan) 7 (0)
2011 → Kerkyra (loan) 2 (0)
2013–2014 Red Star 14 (0)
2014–2015 Aiginiakos 20 (1)
2015–2016 AO Chania 15 (0)
2017 Ialysos
2017–2018 AO Simi 15 (5)
2018–2019 Rodos 12 (2)
2019–2020 AO Simi 2 (0)
International career‡
2004–2005 Greece U-19 13 (0)
2006–2008 Greece U-21 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 May 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 September 2008

Club career

Marseille

Born in Marseille, France, Rikka started his career in the city's biggest club, Olympique de Marseille.

Skoda Xanthi

After not being able to establish himself at Marseille, Rikka was released and joined Skoda Xanthi on 4 February 2006,[2] making 4 appearances until the end of the season. Then, he joined on loan Niki Volos, a Beta Ethniki team, in order to gain more experiences. He stayed with them for the 2006–07 season, participating in 29 league games. Although his team finished last and relegated, his performances were good enough to make the Skoda Xanthi coach Emilio Ferrera trust him with a place in the following year's squad. Rikka grabbed the opportunity and having played 23 league games was one of the team's best players.

AEK Athens

On 16 May 2008, Rikka signed a five-year contract for Greek Super League runners-up side AEK Athens[3] for €600,000,[4] but did not manage to impress AEK's trainers in his first season and managed only three appearances, due to a serious injury. After two consecutive seasons on loan, he returned to AEK.

Loan to Olympiakos Volos

On 1 June 2010, Rikka joined Olympiacos Volos on loan for one season.[5]

Loan to Kerkyra

On 16 January 2011, Rikka joined Kerkyra on loan until the end of the season.[6]

Second stint in AEK

In August 2011, Rikka returned to AEK Athens, but he was not at Jimenez plans. When Kostenoglou took charge in AEK, he considered his senior squad and he finally decided to keep Rikka. On 19 November, he came on as a second-half substitute against Asteras Tripolis and he made a comeback. In that whole season, Rikka made 13 appearances.

Red Star

On 4 July 2013, Rikka joined Red Star after his contract with AEK was terminated.[7]

Football League (Greece)

In 2014, he played in the Football League for Aiginiakos and then AO Chania.

References
  1. "Entreprise AC86 à Marseille (13011)" [Company AC86 in Marseille (13011)]. Figaro Entreprises (in French). Société du Figaro. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
    "Anthony Ricca". BFM Business (in French). Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. "ΞΑΝΘΗ: Πήρε Ρίκα-Ντελγκάδο". sport-fm.gr.
  3. "ΑΕΚ FC signs Antoni Rikka". Archived from the original on 20 May 2008.
  4. "Ανακοίνωσε Ρίκκα". sport24.gr. 16 May 2008.
  5. "ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΣ Β.: Ανακοίνωσε Ρίκκα". .flash.gr (in Greek). Online. 1 June 2010.
  6. "ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ: Δανεικός ο Ρίκκα". rodiaki.gr (in Greek). Online. 16 January 2011.
  7. "Στη Ρεντ Σταρ ο Ρίκκα". sport-fm.gr.
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