Christian Ribeiro

Christian Michael Ribeiro (born 14 December 1989) is a Welsh retired professional footballer who played as a defender.

Christian Ribeiro
Ribeiro with Wales U21 in 2008
Personal information
Full name Christian Michael Ribeiro[1]
Date of birth (1989-12-14) 14 December 1989
Place of birth Neath, Wales
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
2001–2006 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2012 Bristol City 14 (0)
2009 → Stockport County (loan) 7 (0)
2010 → Colchester United (loan) 2 (0)
2011–2012 → Carlisle United (loan) 5 (0)
2012 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 10 (0)
2012–2014 Scunthorpe United 49 (2)
2014–2016 Exeter City 72 (6)
2016–2017 Oxford United 13 (1)
Total 172 (9)
National team
2005–2006 Wales U17 7 (1)
2006–2007 Wales U19 5 (0)
2007–2011 Wales U21 8 (1)
2010 Wales 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He began his career at Bristol City, and turned down a move to Everton in order to make his professional debut for the club in 2008, suffering an injury in the first half that ruled him out for 11 months. He had loans at Stockport County, Colchester United, Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United before moving permanently to the latter in 2012. In his two seasons as a Scunthorpe player, the team were relegated from, and promoted back to, League One. He then represented Exeter City, and two years later moved to Oxford United. He retired in November 2017 due to a knee injury.

Born in Wales and raised in England, Ribeiro won 20 caps and scored two goals for his country at youth level. In 2010, he played twice for the Welsh senior team.

Early life

Ribeiro was born in Neath in South Wales, and at the age of 6 moved to Berkeley, Gloucestershire, and then onto Ruscombe near Stroud in his teenage years.[2] He attended Marling School.[3] His father coached his youth team Wanswell Wanderers.[2] Ribeiro's surname comes from his paternal Portuguese heritage.[4]

Club career

Bristol City

Ribeiro came through the youth system at Bristol City before earning his first professional contract, lasting two and a half years, with the club in December 2006.[5] His first team debut came nearly two years later in a 2–1 win over Peterborough United in the Football League Cup first round on 12 August 2008, but he was replaced after just 34 minutes after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament; the game at Ashton Gate finished 2–1 to City.[6][7] The injury kept him out until next July.[8]

Prior to his injury, he was linked with a move to Premier League side Everton, whose manager David Moyes was to offer £750,000 for his signature.[2] Ribeiro quickly dismissed the approach by stating: "I felt I had a better chance of playing at Bristol City and I was proved right because I got into the first team, it just so happened that was when I got injured."[9] He reflected in 2011 "I can see friends playing in the Premier League and the Championship week-in, week-out, and if only I hadn't had those injuries then I might be doing the same. But you can't go back. I'm very driven and ambitious and if I want to get there I just have to give 100 per cent in everything and show people what I can do".[10]

Having made just one appearance during the 2009–10 season due to another injury sustained while international duty, Ribeiro was allowed to join Football League One side Stockport County on a one-month loan deal with a 24-hour recall clause.[7] He made his Football League and Stockport debut in a 3–1 home defeat to Exeter City later that day.[11] After a month, he decided to extend his loan period to 9 January 2010.[12] However, at the end of December, manager Gary Johnson opted to exercise the recall clause following an injury and suspension crisis that saw Lewin Nyatanga, Jamie McCombe and Brian Wilson unavailable.[13]

The following January, he went on loan again in League One, to Colchester United, until a groin injury ended his spell.[14][15] Ribeiro made his league debut for Bristol City in a 2–2 home draw with Newcastle United on 20 March 2010.[16]

On 2 November 2011, Ribeiro was loaned to Carlisle United of League One for the remainder of the calendar year, as a replacement for the injured Frank Simek and James Tavernier who was to return to Newcastle United.[17] In May 2012, Ribeiro was released by Bristol City after learning that his contract would not be renewed.[18]

Scunthorpe United

On 11 January 2012, Ribeiro was loaned to Scunthorpe United for two months.[19] Following on from his 10-game loan deal, he signed a two-year contract with the option of a third on 9 July 2012, joining at the same time as Mike Grella.[20]

He scored the first goal of his professional career on 17 November, opening a 2–2 draw against Notts County at Glanford Park, curling the ball after a one-two with Mark Duffy.[21] Ribeiro's only other goal for Scunthorpe came on 15 December in a 3–1 win at Leyton Orient, again scoring the first goal of the game and again assisted by Duffy.[22]

The club announced on 8 May 2014 that he would be released at the end of the season, despite playing 21 games as they won promotion back to League One.[23]

Exeter City
Ribeiro playing for Exeter City in 2015

On 21 August 2014, Ribeiro signed for League Two side Exeter City after a successful pre-season trial. The club were under a transfer embargo due to financial issues and Ribeiro was carrying an injury which was likely to remain until September.[24]

He made his debut for the club on 6 September, starting in a 1–2 home defeat to Mansfield Town at St James Park.[25] On 11 October he scored his first goal for Exeter, a headed consolation in another home loss by the same score against Hartlepool United;[26] a second came on 6 December as a late equaliser for a 1–1 draw against Burton Albion.[27]

On 14 June 2015, Ribeiro signed a new contract with Exeter,[28] despite reported interest from Championship side Birmingham City and League One sides Swindon Town and Shrewsbury Town.[29] He scored a career-best four goals in 35 games over the campaign, including late winners in home games against Hartlepool United on 12 September,[30] and Accrington Stanley on 23 January.[31] His contract expired in May 2016, and he was not offered a new one.[32]

Oxford United

Ribeiro signed for newly promoted League One side Oxford United on 28 June 2016, on a two-year deal.[33] He suffered a fractured ankle in pre-season training in August 2016 and was sidelined for the most of the 2016–17 season.[34] He made his belated debut against Bradford City on 14 April 2017, with only four games remaining in the season.[35] He played 14 times in 2017–18 (10 in the league), scoring once, before a knee injury forced him to retire in November 2017, at the age of 27.[36]

International career
I knew years ago these guys were a golden generation and that when they were in their mid-20s they would get to the finals of a major tournament and they could go even further so it doesn't surprise me at all. I've had to tackle a few of those guys so it's a bit surreal and you think, 'did I really just tackle him'. I played with 90 per cent of that squad to be honest. I'm proud to say I've played with them and there's an element of me that wishes I was playing with them still. The dream is to work hard and get one more chance. I was very fortunate to play and train with them. You appreciate what goes on behind the scenes to make them as good as they are.

— Ribeiro speaking about his former international teammates who represented Wales at UEFA Euro 2016.[37]

Ribeiro played at various youth levels for Wales. On 24 September 2005, he scored a 25-yard goal for the under-17 team in their 2–0 qualifying win over Estonia in Rhyl.[38] He took part in the under-19 squad that played in the Milk Cup in 2007.[39] On 12 November 2007 he was called up for the under-21 team for the matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and France.[40] Ribeiro scored once for the under-21 team, opening a 2–1 win over Italy on 4 September 2009, in a European qualifier at the Liberty Stadium.[41]

He was first called up to the senior squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Russia later that month, calling his selection by John Toshack a "fantastic reward" that was deserved due to his battles with injury and adding that he would learn by training against other Welsh internationals like Craig Bellamy.[2] Ribeiro made his debut on 23 May 2010 against Croatia at the Gradski vrt stadium, Osijek, replacing Chris Gunter for the last nine minutes of a 2–0 loss. He was the last of five Welshmen to make their debut that day,[42] and was tasked with marking Luka Modrić, but suffered a slipped spinal disc which ruled him out again.[10] On 12 October, he earned his only other cap as Wales fell 4–1 away to Switzerland in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match, replacing Darcy Blake after 55 minutes. He fouled Tranquillo Barnetta for a penalty which Gökhan Inler scored.[43]

Despite the brevity of his international career, Ribeiro expressed pride in 2016 that he had played alongside players who took Wales to the semi-finals at that year's European Championship, among them Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.[37]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 7 November 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol City 2008–09[44] Championship 000010–10
2009–10[45] Championship 500010–60
2010–11[46] Championship 901000–100
2011–12[47] Championship 000000–00
Total 1401020–170
Stockport County (loan) 2009–10[45] League One 7000000070
Colchester United (loan) 2009–10[45] League One 2000000020
Carlisle United (loan) 2011–12[47] League One 5020000070
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2011–12[47] League One 100000000100
Scunthorpe United 2012–13[48] League One 28210201[lower-alpha 1]0322
2013–14[49] League Two 21020101[lower-alpha 1]0250
Total 492303020572
Exeter City 2014–15[50] League Two 37210001[lower-alpha 1]0392
2015–16[51] League Two 35420101[lower-alpha 1]0394
Total 726301020786
Oxford United 2016–17[52] League One 3000000030
2017–18[53] League One 10110102[lower-alpha 2]0141
Total 131101020171
Career total 172910070601959
  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

International
Team Year Apps Goals
Wales 2010[54][55] 2 0
Total 2 0
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References
  1. "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". The Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. Iles, Rob (10 September 2009). "Christian Ribeiro earns first senior Wales call-up for World Cup qualifier against Russia". Gazette. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. "FOOTBALL: Stroud-boy Christian Ribeiro signs new Exeter deal". Stroud News & Journal. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  4. "The out of work footballer seeking a new contract at Exeter City". Western Morning News. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. "Ribeiro earns first City contract". BBC Sport. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2007.
  6. "Bristol City 2–1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  7. "Bristol City and Wales defender Christian Ribeiro joins Stockport on loan". gazetteseries.co.uk. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  8. "Ribeiro back to City after injury". BBC Sport. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  9. "Ribeiro has no regrets about staying at Bristol City". gazetteseries.co.uk. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  10. "Carlisle Utd loan signing Christian Ribeiro aiming for change of luck on debut". News and Star. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. "Stockport 1–3 Exeter". BBC Sport. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  12. "Bristol City's Ribeiro set for Bristol Rovers showdown". Bristol Evening Post. 22 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012.
  13. "Recalled Ribeiro eyeing chance to feature for Bristol City". Bristol Evening Post. 31 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  14. "Ribeiro Joins Colchester On Loan". Football.co.uk. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  15. "Christian Ribeiro injury frustrates boss Steve Coppell". BBC Sport. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  16. "Bristol City 2–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  17. "Bristol City defender Christian Ribeiro joins Carlisle". BBC Sport. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  18. "Christian Ribeiro to leave Bristol City at the end of his contract". Gazette. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  19. "Scunthorpe sign Bristol City defender Christian Ribeiro". BBC Sport. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  20. "Scunthorpe Utd: Two more new faces arrive at Glanford Park". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  21. "Scunthorpe 2–2 Notts County". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  22. "Leyton Orient 1–3 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  23. "Christian Ribeiro will be released by Scunthorpe United". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  24. Pilnick, Brent (21 August 2014). "Christian Ribeiro completes Exeter City transfer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  25. "Exeter 1–2 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  26. "Exeter 1–2 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  27. "Exeter 1–1 Burton". BBC Sport. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  28. "Christian Ribeiro: Defender signs new deal with Exeter City". BBC Sport. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  29. "Who is Birmingham City target Christian Ribeiro? Here's everything you need to know". Birmingham Mail. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  30. "Exeter 1–0 Hartlepool: Ribeiro snatches late winner". Sky Sports. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  31. Larkins, Simon (23 January 2016). "Exeter City come from behind to beat Accrington Stanley 2–1". Western Morning News. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  32. Cross, Beren (13 May 2016). "Six Exeter City first team regulars could depart with no contract offers tabled". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  33. "Oxford United Sign Christian Ribeiro". Oxford United F.C. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  34. Pritchard, David (27 October 2016). "Christian Ribeiro upbeat on painful path to long-awaited Oxford United debut". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  35. Williams, Chris (14 April 2017). "REPORT Bradford 1 Oxford United 0". Oxford United F.C. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  36. "Christian Ribeiro: Knee injury forces Oxford United defender to retire". BBC Sport. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  37. "Christian Ribeiro proud to have played with Gareth Bale and other Wales Euro 2016 heroes". Gloucestershire Live. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  38. "Wales Under 17 football news". Dragon Soccer. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  39. "Ramsey withdrawn from Wales squad". BBC Sport. 20 July 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2007.
  40. "Injured Bale ruled out for Wales". BBC Sport. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2007.
  41. "Wales U21 2–1 Italy U21". BBC Sport. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  42. "Croatia 2–0 Wales". BBC Sport. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  43. Dullin, David (12 October 2010). "Euro 2012: Switzerland 4–1 Wales". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  44. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  45. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  46. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  47. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  48. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  49. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  50. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  51. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  52. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  53. "Games played by Christian Ribeiro in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  54. "Croatia 2–0 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  55. "Euro 2012: Switzerland 4–1 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
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