Iván Sánchez-Rico Soto (born 11 August 1980), known as Riki, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a striker.
He spent most of his professional career with Deportivo, appearing in 226 competitive games and scoring 58 goals.
Club career
Early career
Riki was born in Aranjuez, Community of Madrid. After spending his youth career at amateur clubs in the area he played with both Real Madrid's reserve sides, C and B. In July 2004, after having signed an extension the previous year,[1] he was released and moved to another team from the capital, Getafe CF, making his La Liga debut on 12 September 2004 in a 1–2 home defeat to RCD Mallorca.[2]
On 13 March 2005, Riki scored against his former employer in a 2–1 home victory.[3] In his second season, he netted eight league goals.[4]
In the first game of the 2008–09 season, against Real Madrid, Riki was stretchered off the pitch with a hamstring injury, ironically after having subbed in himself.[6] He was out of action for two weeks,[7] subsequently netting on 2 November 2008 in a 3–0 away defeat of Real Betis.[8]
Riki again suffered physical problems in the following season, but made the most of his 1,492 minutes as he scored eight goals, notably netting in the first round, a 2–3 loss at Real Madrid,[9] and in both matches against Xerez CD (3–0 away, 2–1 at home);[10][11] the Galicians eventually finished in tenth position.
When Deportivo were immediately relegated, Riki ended his seven-year tenure to remain in the top flight at Granada CF for the next three seasons.[16] He did not score for the Andalusians until 14 December 2013 in a 2–0 win at Rayo Vallecano,[17] and added only one more goal in a 3–3 draw on his return to Getafe.[18]