Mikel Rico

Mikel Rico Moreno (born 4 November 1984) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a central midfielder.

Early seasons

Born in Arrigorriaga, Biscay, Rico was schooled in football at hometown team Padura and Bilbao youth outfit Danok Bat as a child; he then joined the ranks of local club Basconia, which is a farm team of Athletic Bilbao but has its own amateur-level structure. Basconia's 'own' players are occasionally called on to assist the Athletic-controlled squad, and in April 2001 Rico appeared as a substitute for one Tercera División match (Andoni Iraola and Joseba Arriaga also featured).

Rico left Basconia for Conquense in 2003. Most of the first season was spent in their reserves, but the second saw him feature regularly, attracting the attention of Polideportivo Ejido who signed him in 2005. Rico was initally loaned back to Conquense and his final campaign in 2005-06 resulted in their relegation from Segunda División B. However Rico moved up a level rather than down when he was recalled by Ejido, and played in 20 games (starting 3) in the 2006–07 Segunda División to help the Andalusians finish in 11th position; The following season he was loaned to Segunda B side SD Huesca and played his part in their first-ever promotion via the play-offs. In the meantime, Ejido had been relegated so his final season with them in 2008–09 was also in the third tier.

Huesca to Granada

Rico was signed permanently by Huesca in summer 2009 and appeared in 41 league games, scoring 5 goals including a crucial winner in a 1–0 away victory against Celta de Vigo on 19 June 2010 which confirmed their second-level status.

He started the following season at the Aragonese club before moving back down south, joining Granada CF on 31 August 2010 for €600.000 on a four-year deal. He posted similar individual numbers in his first year – 40 matches, two goals, nearly 3,500 minutes of action – and his team returned to La Liga after more than three decades via the play-offs; he displayed versatility in the process, featuring in several positions.

Top-flight player

Rico made his debut in the top flight on 27 August 2011 at nearly 27 years of age, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–1 derby home loss against Real Betis. He scored his first goal in the competition on 31 October, contributing to a 2–1 success at Sevilla FC through a 90th-minute strike; during his spell, he played as a box-to-box midfielder as well as a defensive one.

Rico joined Athletic Bilbao in late August 2013, penning a three-year deal with a €35 million buyout clause. He played his first game with his new team on 1 September, the first half of a 1–3 away defeat to Real Madrid and went on to feature in over 100 matches in all competitions over his first three seasons.

Rico has never earned any caps for Spain at any level. He has featured for the unofficial Basque Country regional team.

Athletic Bilbao

• Supercopa de España: 2015