Former PSG goalkeeper Sergio Rico on verge of Al Gharafa move

Sergio Rico wasn't lying when he said, around nine months ago, that he was looking forward to returning to the usual routines of a footballer. After the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, everything points to him continuing his career in the Qatari League, where, according to ‘Relevo’, he is negotiating a contract with Al Gharafa. This is the club where two of his compatriots, Joselu Mato and Rodrigo Moreno, play.

The goalkeeper has not been on the pitch since 21st December last year, when Christophe Galtier brought him on for the final stages of a friendly match against QRM as a tribute after giving him a starting place in another unofficial match against Paris FC. From then on, his role was that of a substitute as the season wore on at the Parc des Princes, who did not renew him.

In the Middle East, it is assumed that he would assume a much bigger role because his main competitor for the position would be Khalifa Aboubacar N'Diaye, a 35-year-old goalkeeper who is currently the main choice of the coaching staff. His more experienced 31-year-old counterpart, who has more top flight service, is likely to take his place unless he can produce good performances.

Sergio Rico has not experienced a full season as a first-choice goalkeeper since the 18-19 season, when he played for Fulham on loan from Sevilla. He took the pitch 32 times with 59 goals conceded, an understandable tally considering the aims at Craven Cottage.