Rio Hardy (footballer)

Rio Hardy (born 29 June 1996) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder or striker for Rangers.

Rio Hardy
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996
Place of birth Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
Position(s) Midfielder, Striker
Team information
Current team
 Rangers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 South Alabama Jaguars
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Grindavík 15 (10)
2019–2021 Apollon Ladies
2021 Coventry United 11 (5)
2022–2023 Durham Women 30 (8)
2023– Rangers 7 (10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Hardy grew up in Workington, England,[1] and attended the Stainburn School in the town.[2]

Youth career

As a youth player, Hardy joined the youth academy of Seaton Girls, helping the club win the County Cup.[3] After that, she joined the youth academy of English side Blackburn Rovers, helping the club reach the FA Youth Cup final, where they lost to the youth academy of English side Arsenal.[4]

College career

In 2014, Hardy joined the South Alabama Jaguars in the United States, where she was regarded as one of the team's most important players.[5][6] She obtained a sports science degree.[7] She previously attended college in Accrington, England.[8]

Club career

In 2018, she signed for Icelandic side Grindavík, where she was regarded as one of the club's most important players.[9][10] She helped them win the league and qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[11] In 2019, she signed for Cypriot side Apollon Ladies, where she captained the club and was regarded as one of their most important players.[12] In 2021, she signed for English side Coventry United, where she was regarded as one of the club's most important goalscorers, but left due to their liquidation.[13] In 2022, she trained with English side Aston Villa.[14] In 2023, she signed for Scottish side Rangers.[15]

International career

Hardy played for England Colleges at international youth level.[16]

Personal life

Hardy is the twin sister of English footballer Steffi Hardy.[17] She is a supporter of English Premier League side Manchester United.[18] Her family has been based in Workington, England.[19]

References
  1. "Rio and Steffi Hardy: The Cumbrian twins teaming up in Cyprus". bbc.com.
  2. "Rio Hardy proving instant hit". cumbriacrack.com (Archived).
  3. "Cumbria's homegrown footballing twins". newsandstar.co.uk.
  4. "Rio & Steffi Hardy: From five hour round trips to training to playing in Iceland".
  5. "Record-breaking Workington footballer Rio". timesandstar.co.uk.
  6. "Rio Hardy - Times and Star article".
  7. "How Rio and Steffi got to be professional footballers". newsandstar.co.uk.
  8. "Steffi Hardy went from the UK to Alabama to playing pro soccer in Cyprus".
  9. "Rio Hardy - Fotbolti article".
  10. "Hardy og Hewson best hjá gulum". vf.is.
  11. "Rio Hardy - It's All Sport To Me article".
  12. "Rio Hardy - Ginekio article".
  13. "Rio Hardy left in limbo". cumbriacrack.com (Archived).
  14. "Lifeline possibility for West Cumbria's Rio Hardy". cumbriacrack.com (Archived).
  15. "RIO HARDY: IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY I COULDN'T TURN DOWN".
  16. "Football's rising twin stars show their skills". newsandstar.co.uk.
  17. "Rio Hardy - News and Star article".
  18. "Rio Hardy Living the Dream". lastwordonsports.com.
  19. "Rio Hardy On Her Time At Durham Thus Far".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.