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Ricardo Santos (footballer, born 1995)

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Ricardo Santos
Santos playing for Barnet in 2019
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos[1]
Date of birth (1995-06-18) 18 June 1995 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Almada, Portugal
Height 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)[3]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 4
Youth career
–2012 Dagenham & Redbridge
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Dagenham & Redbridge 0 (0)
2013 → Billericay Town (loan) 4 (0)
2013 Dover Athletic 0 (0)
2013–2014 Thurrock 19 (1)
2014–2016 Peterborough United 63 (1)
2017–2020 Barnet 84 (6)
2020–2025 Bolton Wanderers 172 (4)
2025–2026 Swansea City 1 (0)
2026– Sheffield Wednesday 4 (0)
International career‡
2025– Cape Verde 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:55, 6 October 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 00:56, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos (Portuguese: [ʀi.ˈkaɾ.du ɐ.lɨ.ˈʃɐ̃.dɾɨ al.ˈmej.dɐ ˈsɐ̃.tuʃ]; born 18 June 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One club Sheffield Wednesday. Born in Portugal, he represents the Cape Verde national team.

Club career

[edit]

Santos was a youth team player at Dagenham & Redbridge, making one appearance in the matchday squad,[4] before he was released and signed by Thurrock manager Mark Stimson, following a spell at Dover Athletic where he made no appearances.[4] He impressed for the Isthmian League club, making 24 appearances,[5] and was signed by Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on a three-and-a-half-year contract in February 2014.[6] Peterborough paid £8000 for him.[7] He made his League One debut on 3 May in a 0–0 draw with Port Vale at London Road.[8] Santos scored his first goal for the club when he scored a late winner against Doncaster Rovers on 19 March 2016.[9]

On 1 January 2017, Santos joined Barnet for a fee of £100,000.[10] He made his debut on the following day in a 1–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. He left the club at the end of the 2019–20 season having spent two and a half seasons with the Bees, making 94 appearances, scoring six goals.[11]

Bolton Wanderers

[edit]

Santos signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal on 3 August 2020.[12] His debut came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup.[13] On 1 March 2021, Santos signed a new contract with Bolton until 2023.[14] He was named as EFL League Two Player of the Month for February 2021.[15] On 21 May 2021, following the team's direct promotion to the EFL League One, he was announced to have been voted as Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.[16] Plus, he was named in the league's Team of the Year, together with his team-mate Eoin Doyle.[17]

On 22 October 2021, following the sudden departure of Antoni Sarcevic to Stockport County, Santos was appointed by manager Ian Evatt as Bolton's new captain.[18] He was named in the Team of the Year for the second consecutive year, this time in League One, for the 2021–22 season.[19] On 26 May 2022, Santos signed a new three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers which would keep him at the club until 2025.[20]

On 11 February 2023, Santos scored his first goals for Bolton with a brace in a 5–0 win at his former team Peterborough United, Bolton's 5000th league game.[21] On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final which Bolton won 4–0 against Plymouth Argyle.[22] He was named in both the EFL[23] and PFA[24] Teams of the Season for the 2022–23 season, the third season in a row he had been named in Teams of the Year. A year later, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year again, his fourth consecutive appearance.[25]

On 21 September 2024, Bolton manager Ian Evatt announced that Santos would be replaced as captain by George Thomason for the 2024–25 season.[26] On 7 May 2025, the club confirmed that Santos would leave at the end of his contract,[27] having made 207 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions for them.[27][28]

Swansea City

[edit]

On 6 June 2025, Santos agreed to join Championship side Swansea City on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract set to be effective from 1 July.[29][30] During a pre-season friendly away to Cheltenham, Santos hyper-extended his leg, causing him to miss significant time with injury.[31] Santos played only one game by January 2026, leading Swansea to accept a bid from Reading.[32] The move fell through however, after he failed a medical.[33]

Sheffield Wednesday

[edit]

On 19 June 2026, Santos signed for League One club Sheffield Wednesday on an initial one-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[34] He made his debut on 20 August 2026, coming off the bench in the 0–1 defeat to Bradford City.[35]

International career

[edit]

Born in Portugal, Santos is of Cape Verdean descent.[28]

In May 2025, he accepted a call-up to the Cape Verde national team for a set of friendlies against Malaysia and Georgia.[28][36] He played for the Tubarões Azuis on 3 June in a behind closed doors training match, playing 90 minutes in a 3–0 win over Malaysia. As it was a training match, it wasn't considered an official appearance.[37][38]

Santos made his official debut for Cape Verde in a friendly against Egypt on 17 November 2025.[39]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 6 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dagenham & Redbridge 2012–13[40] League Two 0000000000
Billericay Town (loan) 2012–13[41] Conference South 40———40
Thurrock 2013–14[42] IL Division One North 19120—2[a]0231
Peterborough United 2013–14[43] League One 10——0010
2014–15[44] League One 240101000260
2015–16[45] League One 37140101[b]0431
2016–17[46] League One 1010102[b]050
Total 631603030751
Barnet 2016–17[46] League Two 152000000152
2017–18 League Two 42310202[b]0473
2018–19 National League 5000—0050
2019–20 National League 22120—3[c]0271
Total 846302050946
Bolton Wanderers 2020–21[47] League Two 460101000480
2021–22[48] League One 37020103[b]0430
2022–23[49] League One 30310107[d]0393
2023–24[50] League One 34041106[e]1452
2024–25[51] League One 25100304[b]0321
Total 172481702012076
Swansea City 2025–26[52] Championship 100000—10
Sheffield Wednesday 2026–27[53] League One 4000101[b]060
Career total 3471219113031141014
  1. ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League playoffs
  4. ↑ Five appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
  5. ↑ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearance in League One play-offs

International

[edit]
As of 18 November 2025
National teamYearAppsGoals
Cape Verde 202510
Total10

Honours

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ricardo Santos". 11v11. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Ricardo Santos". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 Munford, Colin (5 February 2014). "Former Daggers defender joins Peterborough United". Barking and Dagenham Post. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Club not live". pitchero.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Peterborough sign Portuguese defender Ricardo Santos". BBC Sport. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Peterborough United owner MacAnthony: We want Ricardo Santos to apologise". The Bolton News. 2 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Peterborough 0-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Doncaster 1–2 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "Barnet complete Santos signing". barnetfc.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Club update". barnetfc.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  12. ↑ "Evatt Recruits Portuguese Defender". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  13. ↑ "Report: Bolton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  14. ↑ "Almeida Santos signs new deal | Bolton Wanderers FC". www.bwfc.co.uk.
  15. 1 2 "Manager and Defender win Sky Bet monthly awards". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Ricardo Almeida Santos Named As Bolton Wanderers' 2020/21 Player Of The Year | Bolton Wanderers FC". www.bwfc.co.uk.
  17. ↑ "🏆 Wanderers duo named in PFA League Two Team of the Year". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "Santos Gets Captain's Job". bwfc.co.uk. 22 October 2021.
  19. 1 2 "PFA League One Team of the Year". www.thepfa.com.
  20. ↑ "Done Deal As Captain Commits". bwfc.co.uk. 26 May 2022.
  21. ↑ "'We've created a monster!' - Ian Evatt delighted to see Santos scoring at Bolton". The Bolton News. 11 February 2023.
  22. 1 2 Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  23. 1 2 "EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  25. 1 2 "PFA League One Team of the Year". PFA. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  26. ↑ Iles, Marc (21 September 2024). "Bolton Wanderers appoint George Thomason as new captain". The Bolton News. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  27. 1 2 "Farewell to Rico and Geth". bwfc.co.uk. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  28. 1 2 3 Iles, Marc (4 June 2025). "Ex-Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos set for Championship move". The Bolton News. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  29. ↑ "Swansea City agree signing of Ricardo Santos". www.swanseacity.com. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  30. ↑ "Ricardo Santos: Swansea City sign ex-Bolton Wanderers defender". BBC Sport. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  31. ↑ "Swansea City dealt Ricardo Santos blow as Alan Sheehan delivers injury update". BBC Sport. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  32. ↑ "Ricardo Santos: Swansea City defender close to Reading move". BBC Sport. 13 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Ex-Bolton Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos sees Reading move collapse".
  34. ↑ "Santos signs for Wednesday". www.swfc.co.uk. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  35. ↑ "Bradford earn Yorkshire derby win over Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "Tubarões Azuis disputam amigáveis com Malásia e Geórgia – Convocados" [Blue Sharks to play friendlies with Malaysia and Georgia – Squad]. fcf.cv (in Portuguese). 20 May 2025.
  37. ↑ "Malaysia vs Cape Verde Lineups - Friendly International 2025/26".
  38. ↑ "Instagram".
  39. ↑ Text, Live. "Egypt vs Cape Verde: Friendlies stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2012/2013 for Billericay Town". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2013/2014 for Thurrock". Thurrock F.C. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  46. 1 2 "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  47. 1 2 "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Ricardo Santos in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  54. ↑ "League Two Betting | 2026/27 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
  55. ↑ "PFA League Two Team of the Year". www.thepfa.com.
[edit]
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