Samuel Ricketts Bio Send To Friend  

Ricketts left Hull in the summer of 2009 ater failing to agree terms on a new contract, so the Tigers cashed in for an undisclosed amount rather than let his contract run down.

The full-back signed for Bolton Wanderers in July of that pre-season.

The defender enjoyed a meteoric rise from non-league football to the Premier League after being released by Oxford United in 2003.

The Wales international looked headed for a career outside of the professional game but after being handed a chance by Swansea has proved to be a defender of real quality.

After signing for Hull in 2006 he barely missed a game in his first two seasons at the club to become one of the first names on the teamsheet for a side which made it to the Premier League.

Ricketts began his career with Oxford United, making his professional debut in a 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town in September 2000.

The defender struggled to make an impact and was loaned out to Nuneaton Borough before dropping into non-league football permanent with Telford United in the summer of 2003.

Ricketts' superb performances for the Conference outfit soon had the League scouts flocking, and he made the step up after just one season - Telford went out of business - signing for Swansea City.

The right-back was a rock as the Swans were promoted from League Two in third place, with Ricketts in the division's Team of the Season, and he again impressed in 2005-06 as the club made it to the League One play-offs in their first season in the division. He also won the Football League Trophy that season.

The player made his Wales debut - he qualifies through his grandmother - against Hungary in February 2005 and soon became a regular.

Hull City had been tracking the player throughout the season and eventually captured his signature in the summer for a fee of £300,000. He became the first Hull player to win a full international cap for 18 years.

Ricketts missed just six matches of Hull's first season back in the second tier of English football and won many plaudits for his performances. And he missed just two games as the Tigers booked a place in the Premier League through the play-offs in 2007-08.

Although most commonly used in defence, he is capable of playing midfield as well as occupying any position in the back four with equal comfort.

He continued to be a regular starter with Hull in the top flight, barring injury, but the Tigers felt they have no choice but to sell him for Bolton in order to bring in cash.

Ricketts played 129 games for Hull, scoring just once.