Riccardo Scimeca

Career

Scimeca started his career at Aston Villa F.C., coming through the clubs youth system, as a centre forward and was largely a squad player until his move to Nottingham Forest F.C. in 1999.
He moved on to Leicester City F.C. in 2003, on a free transfer after failing to agree a new deal, then West Bromwich Albion F.C. a year later by activating a get out clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Leicester, before his transfer to Cardiff in 2005.

Since his arrival at Ninian Park Scimeca has become an important part of the Cardiff side under manager Dave Jones and has also developed something of a goal scoring touch which he admitted surprised him. At the beginning of the 2007–08 season he was sidelined with a groin injury and started the season on the treatment table. He attempted a comeback in August in a reserve match against Plymouth Argyle F.C. but only lasted twelve minutes after suffering a recurrence of the injury. He again came close to a return in December 2007 after having an operation on his groin injury but suffered another setback after he contracted the MRSA virus after the incision failed to fully heal. He made his long awaited return for Cardiff on 19 February, 2008 by playing 45 minutes against Newport County A.F.C. in the FAW Premier Cup, his first appearance for the Bluebirds for nearly a year. He went on to make a total of 11 appearances in all competitions during the season, mostly as a substitute in order to return to match fitness.

The start of the Cardiff City F.C. season 2008-09 season looked to be more promising for Scimeca as he began the season fully fit and an injury to Gavin Rae saw him back into the first-team early in the year but he went on to suffer another injury setback after seriously damaging ankle ligaments during a 2-1 victory over Milton Keynes Dons F.C. in the second round of the Carling Cup.

Club stats

As of 28 August, 2008

Honours

Cardiff

-