Football Career
After his youth career in amateur clubs in the Madrid area, Riki played with both Real Madrid's reserve sides, C and B. In July 2004, after having signed an extension with the merengues the previous year, he was released and moved to another capital team, Getafe CF, making his La Liga debut on 12 September 2004 in a 1–2 home defeat to RCD Mallorca; on 13 March 2005 he scored against his former employer in a 2–1 home success and, in his second season, netted eight league goals.
In late June 2006, Riki moved to Deportivo de La Coruña on a five-year contract. During his first season he was an undisputed starter, and, in the following one, he featured less prominently, but scored two more goals (five).
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. He was out of action for two weeks, subsequently netting on 2 November 2008 in a 3–0 success at Real Betis.
Riki again suffered physical problems in the following season, but made the most of his minutes (1,492) as he scored a career-best – at Deportivo – eight goals, notably netting in the opener, a 2–3 loss at Real Madrid, and in both matches against Xerez CD (3–0 away, 2–1 at home); the Galicians eventually finished in 10th position.
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