Richy (footballer)

Ricardo Álvarez Puig (born 11 September 1984), known as Richy, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a central defender.

For other uses, see Ricardo Álvarez.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Álvarez and the second or maternal family name is Puig.
Richy
Richy with Girona in 2015
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Álvarez Puig
Date of birth (1984-09-11) 11 September 1984
Place of birth Vigo, Spain
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
Arosa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2009 Celta B 158 (15)
2007 Celta 1 (0)
2009–2011 Córdoba 44 (2)
2011–2017 Girona 129 (6)
Total 332 (23)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Celta / Córdoba

Born in Vigo, Galicia, Richy began his career at hometown club RC Celta de Vigo, playing almost exclusively for their reserves in Segunda División B. His lone appearance for the first team was on 26 August 2007 on the first day of the Segunda División season, playing the entirety of a 1–1 home draw against Córdoba CF in which he featured as a right back, and being notified of this by manager Hristo Stoichkov one hour before kick-off.[1]

On 14 July 2009, after helping Celta B to fifth place, Richy signed a one-year contract at Córdoba.[2] He made his debut on 29 August as they began the campaign with a 0–3 loss at neighbours Real Betis, and the following 27 March he was sent off in a 2–0 home win over leaders Real Sociedad.[3]

Richi scored his first two professional goals towards the end of 2010–11, starting with a header to open a 3–0 away defeat of Villarreal CF B on 17 April 2011.[4]

Girona

On 21 June 2011, Richy turned down a two-year deal at Córdoba to move to Girona FC – also in the second level – for one year.[5] He made his debut on 26 August in a 1–4 home loss to Elche CF, receiving a red card towards the end;[6] he missed the vast majority of the season, due to an external lateral ligament injury to his right knee.[7]

Richi's first goal for the Catalans came on 16 March 2013, opening their 3–1 win at Recreativo de Huelva.[8] In his fourth year, he netted a career-best four goals and was ever-present until his late dismissal in the penultimate match, a 1–0 away victory against RCD Mallorca.[9]

On 14 June 2017, after achieving promotion to La Liga and following six knee surgeries in only two years, the 32-year-old Richy announced his retirement.[10]

References
  1. Román, Miguel (3 August 2015). "Cantera para vivir, no solo para sobrevivir" [Academy for living, not only for surviving] (in Spanish). Vigo É. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  2. "El Córdoba ficha a Richi Álvarez" [Córdoba sign Richi Álvarez]. Marca (in Spanish). 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. "Batacazo del líder en El Arcángel" [Leader crashed in El Arcángel]. Marca (in Spanish). 27 March 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  4. "El Córdoba huye del miedo" [Córdoba escape from fear]. Marca (in Spanish). 17 April 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  5. "El Girona ficha al central Richy" [Girona sign stopper Richy]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  6. Moreno, José L. (26 August 2011). "El Elche se lleva los tres primeros puntos a domicilio" [Elche get first three away points]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  7. "El central Richy, lesionado de gravedad" [Stopper Richy, seriously injured]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 17 January 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  8. "El Girona sigue a la caza del ascenso directo" [Girona carry on in the hunt for automatic promotion]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 March 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  9. "Sandaza deja al Girona con pie y medio en Primera" [Sandaza leaves Girona with a foot-and-a-half in Primera]. Sport (in Spanish). 31 May 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  10. "El capitán Richy anuncia su retirada" [Captain Richy announces his retirement]. Marca (in Spanish). 14 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
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