Diego Rico is approaching his first anniversary as an AFC Bournemouth player and is now looking to push on as he takes on the challenge of becoming a Premier League regular.
The left-back joined the Cherries from Leganes last July and made 16 appearances, a dozen of which came in the Premier League, during his opening season at Vitality Stadium.
Now the Spaniard is looking to use his experience from year one to push him towards more appearances in the first team in 2019/20.
As the squad returns for pre-season, Rico sat down with afcb.co.uk to assess his opening year in England.
“My first season here, it was enjoyable,” He said. "The Premier League is very strong and very physical, it’s different from La Liga in Spain but I am enjoying the challenge.”
“Living in England is nice. The summer time is very good, I think the summer is very quick here but now we’re at the start of pre-season so I know I need to be strong because the Premier League is a very hard division.”
As well as having a new team, league and style of play to deal with, Rico has also needed to get to grips with a country he had never been to prior to joining the club, saying that his strong bond with his family and friends have helped him.
“It has taken some time to adapt because it’s different here,” he explained. “The language, the culture and the league, as well as different players, but I have tried to adapt quickly.
“My family and my friends have helped me with everything. It’s nice, I can speak with them everyday, they have come to a lot of matches, and that helps me enjoy my life.
“There are a few differences between living in Spain and here in England. The language is the biggest thing but I am learning, I go to a language school and little by little my English is getting better.”
With injuries opening a way into the first team last April, the left-back’s chances of a late-season run in the side were quickly dashed when an ankle injury during the match with Burnley brought an early end to his maiden campaign in English football.
However, Rico is now back to fitness and looking to get himself in peak condition ahead of the new league start.
He said: “The injury was difficult but that’s life as a footballer and my recuperation has been very good. Now we’re back in pre-season with the team and I will build from here.
“Next season I want to play more games and help with the team. I’ve enjoyed playing in this league and I want to enjoy even more next season with my friends, team-mates - and together finish even higher in the Premier League.”
