Three years ago AFC Bournemouth signed Spanish left-back Diego Rico from Leganés for an officially undisclosed but was widely reported £10.7million.
Rico went on to make 83 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries, including 39 appearances in the Premier League, claiming four assists during the 2019/20 campaign that ultimately ended in relegation from the top flight of English football.
Last season in the Championship Rico made 23 starts, scoring a memorable free-kick away to Barnsley and added a further three assists to his tally.
But with one year remaining on his contract at Dean Court, the Cherries have opted to sell the Spaniard and he has returned to La Liga with Real Sociedad. The fee once again is undisclosed but reports in the Spanish media have mentioned a fee as low as 500.000 euros.
Following a fifth-place finish in La Liga for Real Sociedad in 2020/21, Rico will be joining a squad that will also be participating in UEFA’s second-tier competition the Europa League during the upcoming campaign.
Right decision for AFCB to sell Rico?
Yes
No
Don't know
Following the announcement, Rico took to his Instagram account to post a goodbye message to the supporters of AFC Bournemouth…
So… It is always hard to say Goodbay to a club that has became a family for me.🙏🏼 Since first time I sign with
Bournemouth I felt that you were something more than a team and I was rigth! I found here an amazing place to live with fantastic fans that are always supporting the team despite the difficulties. Now I need to fly away but I will always be a Cherry! 🍒Hope you can be back to the top as soon as possible! My heart is black and red now!❤️🖤
Thanks a lot @officialafcb !
Best Whises!
Your say…
klaus_afcb wrote…
Unlike many of these leaving statements, I believe he actually wrote that himself…
Sad to see him go. Seemed like a nice guy and always gave 100%. All us fans can ask for from a player really. Mucha suerte Diego, que te vaya bien! – Join the conversation, click here.
