Former Premier League player set to join Qatari side 16 months after he nearly died in horrific accident
- Former Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico joins Al-Gharafa in Qatar
- Rico, 31, nearly died in a horse riding accident in Spain last May
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all about to begin!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Sergio Rico is expected to join Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League on a free transfer, 16 months after he nearly lost his life.
The goalkeeper, who made 29 Premier League appearances for Fulham in the 2018-19 season, suffered serious head injuries in a horse riding accident in May last year.
Rico was in a coma for three weeks, with a medical report claiming he was “half an inch” from death.
At the time of the accident he was under contract with Paris Saint-Germain, but he left the French club in June this year after his contract expired.
Rico, 31, has not played a competitive match since May 2022, when he was loaned to La Liga club Mallorca.
Goalkeeper Sergio Rico (center) pictured during Fulham’s match against Liverpool in 2019
Rico and his wife Alba Silva were photographed in hospital last year after the footballer’s terrible accident
Rico and Silva, who are expecting their first child together, are now moving to Qatar
However, he is expected to return to the field next month once his move to Al-Gharafa is completed.
Rico will reportedly travel to Qatar on Wednesday to complete his transfer.
Al-Gharafa will be the fifth team of Rico’s first season, which started at his home club Sevilla.
He won the Europa League twice with Sevilla, after which he won another six trophies with PSG.
Al-Gharafa finished third in the Qatar Stars League last season, which was enough to qualify for the AFC Champions League.