Diego Rico

Leganés On 17 August 2016, Rico joined La Liga side CD Leganés on a four-year contract for a rumoured fee of €1 million. He made his debut in the competition five days later, starting and in a 1–0 away win against RC Celta de Vigo.

Rico scored his first goal in the Spanish top flight on 11 September 2016, but in a 2–1 loss at Sporting de Gijón. The following 7 August, he agreed to an extension until 2021.

AFC Bournemouth On 24 July 2018, Rico was transferred to AFC Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee, and signed a four-year contract. He made his debut in the Premier League on 1 September, playing the entire 2–0 away defeat against Chelsea. He struggled to regularly cement his position in the team during his first season, making just 16 total appearances in all competitions; manager Eddie Howe later commented that the player had faced some hurdles in settling into the league, with the language barrier and increased physicality of the competition being key factors in this, although he did add that "he has got the technical quality and [he] has got a lovely left foot. He’s got the ability to play in the team".

Rico enjoyed a much more positive start to the following campaign, making 14 consecutive starts for the team, beginning with a 3–1 home win against Everton. In October 2019, he was voted Player of the Month for the previous month in a poll conducted by the club's website, playing every minute in the league and also providing two assists.

Rico scored his first goal on 4 December 2020, in a 4–0 victory over Barnsley.

Real Sociedad On 26 July 2021, Rico returned to Spain and joined Real Sociedad, on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 6 March 2023, he renewed his contract until 2025.

Getafe Rico moved to fellow top-tier Getafe CF on 1 September 2023, on loan for the season. In July 2024, he signed a permanent contract due to an obligatory buyout clause if the team avoided relegation.

Rico made 100 total appearances during his spell. On 15 January 2025, he was sent off against Pontevedra CF in the Spanish Cup (1–0 away win) and, three months later, repeated the feat in the in the 1–3 home loss to UD Las Palmas in the domestic league.

Osasuna On 12 August 2026, Rico joined CA Osasuna on a one-year deal.

Style of play Rico is praised for his dead-ball delivery and the quality of his set pieces, and is usually assigned the role of corner and direct free kick taker on the pitch. Bournemouth teammate Callum Wilson described him as having a "wand of a left foot", and Howe commented that "someone with that strength of foot, he has real power in it, accuracy with it and it is a big asset.”

Rico is also noted as being an excellent interceptor of the ball, and a generally strong defensive fullback. Late into 2019–20, he had the most interceptions of any player in the Premier League with 66.

Career statistics