Rigino Cicilia

{{Short description|Curaçaoan footballer (born 1994)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rigino Cicilia

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Rigino Cicilia{{cite web |title=List of players under written contract registered between 01/07/2016 and 31/07/2016 |url=https://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/player-registration---july-2016.ashx |publisher=The Football Association |format=PDF |page=33 |access-date=11 November 2016}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|9|23|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2016/2017 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2016-2017/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}

| birth_place = Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles

| height = {{height|m=1.97}}{{cite web|title=Cicilia becomes the second signing under the Bruno Ribeiro era |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/welcome-to-vale-park-rigino-cicilia-3163043.aspx|website=port-vale.co.uk|access-date=30 June 2016}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Slovácko

| clubnumber = 22

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = KVC Oranje

| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = FC Kerkrade-West

| youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Alemannia Aachen

| youthyears4 = | youthclubs4 = Roda JC Kerkrade

| years1 = 2013–2016| clubs1 = Roda JC Kerkrade | caps1 = 22 | goals1 = 1

| years2 = 2016 | clubs2 = → RKC Waalwijk (loan) | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 6

| years3 = 2016–2017| clubs3 = Port Vale | caps3 = 29 | goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2017–2018| clubs4 = FK Sūduva | caps4 = 32 | goals4 = 8

| years5 = 2019–2020| clubs5 = FC Eindhoven | caps5 = 28 | goals5 = 11

| years6 = 2020–2022| clubs6 = Slovácko | caps6 = 41 | goals6 = 9

| years7 = 2022–2023| clubs7 = Heracles Almelo | caps7 = 20 | goals7 = 6

| years8 = 2023– | clubs8 = Slovácko | caps8 = 26 | goals8 = 3

| nationalyears1 = 2013 | nationalteam1 = Curaçao U20| nationalcaps1 = 2| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 3 January 2025

}}

Rigino Cicilia (born 23 September 1994) is a Curaçaoan footballer who plays as a forward for Czech First League club Slovácko.

He won two caps for the Curaçao under-20 team in 2013. A former youth team player at KVC Oranje, FC Kerkrade-West, and Alemannia Aachen, he turned professional at Roda JC Kerkrade and made his first-team debut in August 2014. He spent the 2015–16 season on loan at RKC Waalwijk. He joined the English club Port Vale in June 2016, remaining there for one season before he joined the Lithuanian side FK Sūduva in October 2017. He helped Sūduva to win the A Lyga title in 2017 and 2018 and to win the 2018 Lithuanian Supercup. He returned to the Netherlands to sign with FC Eindhoven in February 2019 and moved to the Czech Republic to join Slovácko in July 2020. He won the Czech Cup with Slovácko in 2022 and then returned to the Netherlands to sign with Heracles Almelo, helping the club to be crowned Eerste Divisie champions at the end of the 2022–23 season. He returned to Slovácko in July 2023.

Club career

=Roda JC Kerkrade=

Cicilia spent his youth with KVC Oranje, FC Kerkrade-West, and Alemannia Aachen (Germany) before joining the youth academy at Roda JC Kerkrade. He was one of a club record eight youth team players offered a professional contract at Roda JC in June 2013.{{cite web|title=Contract voor jeugdspelers Roda JC Kerkrade|url=http://www.rodajc.nl/nieuwsbericht/07-06-2013/contract-voor-jeugdspelers-roda-jc-kerkrade/|website=rodajc.nl|publisher=Roda JC|access-date=30 June 2016|language=Dutch}} He made his debut in the Eerste Divisie (second tier) on 25 August 2014, coming on for Danny Schreurs 78 minutes into a 3–0 defeat to FC Volendam at the Kras Stadion.{{cite web|title=Volendam vs. Roda JC 3 - 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/25/netherlands/eerste-divisie/fc-volendam/roda-jc/1691149/|website=Soccerway|access-date=30 June 2016}} He scored his first goal for the club on 23 September, in a 2–1 KNVB Cup victory over SC Heerenveen at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion.{{cite web|title=Roda JC vs. Heerenveen 2 - 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/23/netherlands/knvb-beker/roda-jc/sportclub-heerenveen/1745001/|website=Soccerway|access-date=30 June 2016}} Four days later he scored his first league goal, in a 2–1 win over Helmond Sport at the Stadion De Braak.{{cite web|title=Helmond Sport vs. Roda JC 1 - 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/27/netherlands/eerste-divisie/stichting-helmond-sport/roda-jc/1691235/|website=Soccerway|access-date=30 June 2016}} He ended the 2014–15 season with two goals in 23 appearances, though was not used in the play-offs as Roda JC beat NAC Breda to regain a place in the Eredivisie (first tier), and signed a new one-year contract in March 2015.{{cite web|title=Roda JC verlengt contracten Faik, Paulissen, Werker en Cicilia|url=http://www.rodajc.nl/nieuwsbericht/31-03-2015/roda-jc-verlengt-contracten-faik-paulissen-werker-en-cicilia/|website=rodajc.nl|publisher=Roda JC|access-date=30 June 2016|language=Dutch|date=31 March 2015}}

He made two appearances in the Eredivisie as a substitute in August 2015 before joining Eerste Divisie club RKC Waalwijk on loan for the rest of the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|title=RKC Waalwijk huurt spits Rigino Cicilia van Roda JC Kerkrade|url=http://waalwijk.nieuws.nl/sport/20150831/rkc-waalwijk-huurt-spits-rigino-cicilia-van-roda-jc-kerkrade/|access-date=30 June 2016|work=De Gelderlander|date=31 August 2015|language=Dutch}} He made a total of 24 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals, including a hat-trick in a 5–3 home defeat to Jong Ajax on 4 December, as RKC Waalwijk finished second-from-bottom in 18th place.{{cite web|title=RKC Waalwijk vs. Ajax II 3 - 5|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/12/04/netherlands/eerste-divisie/rkc-waalwijk/jong-ajax/2039701/|website=Soccerway|access-date=30 June 2016}} He was released by Roda JC in May 2016.{{cite web|title=Overzicht contracten Roda JC spelers|url=http://www.rodajc.nl/nieuwsbericht/19-05-2016/overzicht-contracten-roda-jc-spelers|website=rodajc.nl|publisher=Roda JC|access-date=30 June 2016|language=Dutch|date=19 May 2016}} He had a trial at Austrian Bundesliga side SKN St. Pölten in June 2016.{{cite news|title=St. Pölten testing storm talent from Curacao|url=http://www.fussball-imnetz.at/18922_st_poelten_testet_sturmtalent_aus_curacao|access-date=1 July 2016|work=fussball-imnetz.at|date=18 June 2016|language=German}}

=Port Vale=

In June 2016, Cicilia signed a two-year contract with EFL League One club Port Vale.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale sign striker Rigino Cicilia|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-sign-striker-rigino-cicilia/story-29463152-detail/story.html|access-date=30 June 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=30 June 2016}} He started just two of the opening ten games of the 2016–17 season and found himself competing with Martin Paterson behind Anton Forrester in the first-team pecking order; Cicilia said that additional conditioning work helped him to adjust to the physicality of the English game.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale: Rigino Cicilia playing way into first team contention|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-rigino-cicilia-playing-way-into-first-team-contention/story-29734920-detail/story.html|access-date=21 September 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=21 September 2016}} He scored his first goal for the club on 22 October, and then won a penalty, as the "Valiants" came from behind to draw 2–2 with Oxford United at Vale Park.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale: Brown hopes Cicilia goal is a turning point|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-michael-brown-hopes-rigino-cicilia-goal-is-a-turning-point-for-striker/story-29833084-detail/story.html|access-date=24 October 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=24 October 2016}} His size and unconventional playing style quickly made him a 'cult hero' for Vale fans, who nicknamed him 'Reggie'.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale 2, Oldham 2 REPORT: Big Reg Cicilia makes a point|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-2-oldham-2-comment-rigino-cicilia-s-heroics-not-quite-enough/story-29926972-detail/story.html|access-date=22 November 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=22 November 2016}}{{cite news|title=Rigino Cicilia: Port Vale's Caribbean striker from Curacao wins over fans in Burslem|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38082435|access-date=23 November 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=23 November 2016}} However, Bruno Ribeiro rarely played Cicilia form the start of matches, believing him to be more of an impact substitute.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale boss Ribeiro says Cicilia is best as super sub for now|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-boss-bruno-ribeiro-says-rigino-cicilia-is-best-as-super-sub-for-now/story-29937937-detail/story.html|access-date=28 November 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=28 November 2016}} He was sidelined with a calf strain injury in February.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale: Rigino Cicilia sidelined with injury, Valiants confirm|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-rigino-cicilia-sidelined-with-injury-valiants-confirm/story-30147039-detail/story.html|access-date=20 February 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=19 February 2017|language=en}} He returned to action after a four-week absence, but failed to add to his goal tally, and was sent off for two bookable offence on the final home game of the season – a 2–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 22 April; caretaker manager Michael Brown said that the sending off was harsh.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale 0, Bolton 2: Brown says harsh red card turned game|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-0-bolton-2-brown-says-harsh-red-card-turned-game/story-30287148-detail/story.html|access-date=22 April 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=22 April 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423151439/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-0-bolton-2-brown-says-harsh-red-card-turned-game/story-30287148-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 April 2017}} He left Port Vale following the club's relegation in May 2017 after he and Brown came to a mutual agreement to end his contract.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Thirteen senior players leave club after relegation to League Two|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39980596|access-date=20 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=19 May 2017}}

=FK Sūduva=

In October 2017, Cicilia signed with Lithuanian A Lyga club FK Sūduva.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Former Port Vale striker Rigino Cicilia agrees deal with Lithuanian high flyers|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/former-port-vale-striker-rigino-565233|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=2 October 2017}} He played three games for the "Suvalkiečiai" in 2017 as they won the league for the first time in their history. He played and scored in the 2018 Lithuanian Supercup as Sūduva recorded a 5–0 victory over Stumbras.{{cite web|title=Marijampolės "Sūduva" {{!}} A Lyga {{!}} Aukščiausia Lietuvos futbolo lyga|url=https://alyga.lt/komanda/suduva/4|website=alyga.lt|access-date=1 May 2018|language=en}} On 11 July, he scored his first career hat-trick as Sūduva beat Cypriot champions APOEL 3–1 at the Sūduva Stadium in the first leg of the first round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League; he completed his hat-trick within 19 minutes of the kick-off.{{cite news |title=UEFA Champions League - Sūduva-APOEL |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2024595--suduva-vs-apoel/ |access-date=12 July 2018 |work=UEFA |date=11 July 2018 |language=en}} He was named in A Lyga's Team of the Month for June and July. However, this was reportedly primarily because it was a poor month for attackers in the division.{{cite news |title=Birželio–liepos mėnesio rinktinėje dominuoja "Stumbro" futbolininkai {{!}} A Lyga {{!}} Aukščiausia Lietuvos futbolo lyga |url=https://alyga.lt/naujiena/birzelioliepos-menesio-rinktineje-dominuoja-stumbro-futbolininkai/5411 |access-date=29 April 2019 |work=alyga.lt |date=22 July 2018}} Sūduva went on to retain their league title in 2018.

=FC Eindhoven=

On 19 February 2019, Cicilia signed with Eerste Divisie side FC Eindhoven on a contract to run until summer 2020.{{cite news |last1=Dal |first1=Thomas |title=Clubloze Rigino Cicilia mogelijk de nieuwe spits van FC Eindhoven |url=https://www.ed.nl/fc-eindhoven/clubloze-rigino-cicilia-mogelijk-de-nieuwe-spits-van-fc-eindhoven-br~a577b310/ |access-date=29 April 2019 |work=ed.nl |date=19 February 2019 |language=nl}} Head coach David Nascimento stated that "He is a big boy, physically strong, good at the ball and someone who can score a goal".{{cite news |last1=Dal |first1=Thomas |title=FC Eindhoven heeft met Rigino Cicilia de gewenste spits binnen |url=https://www.ed.nl/fc-eindhoven/fc-eindhoven-heeft-met-rigino-cicilia-de-gewenste-spits-binnen~abe460ce/ |access-date=29 April 2019 |work=ed.nl |date=20 February 2019 |language=nl}} He had to wait 12 games before scoring his first goal of the 2019–20 season, at which point he scored four goals in two games against AZ Alkmaar II and SBV Excelsior.{{cite news |last1=Dal |first1=Thomas |title=Rigino Cicilia leidt FC Eindhoven met eerste seizoenstreffers voorbij Jong AZ |url=https://www.ed.nl/fc-eindhoven/rigino-cicilia-leidt-fc-eindhoven-met-eerste-seizoenstreffers-voorbij-jong-az~a30b892e/?referrer=https://www.google.co.uk/ |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=ED.nl |date=31 October 2019 |language=nl}} He ended the campaign with 11 goals in 31 games for the "Blauw-witten", before his contract was terminated on 1 April due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.{{cite news |last1=Dal |first1=Thomas |title=FC Eindhoven has formally canceled ten expiring contracts with Zé Pedro and Swinkels |url=https://www.ed.nl/fc-eindhoven/fc-eindhoven-door-met-ze-pedro-en-swinkels-tien-aflopende-contracten-formeel-opgezegd~a02dd68a/?referrer=https://www.google.co.uk/ |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=ED.nl |date=31 March 2020 |language=nl}}

=Slovácko=

On 1 July 2020, Cicilia joined Czech First League club Slovácko on a two-year contract; head coach Martin Svědík signed him to replace departing striker Tomáš Zajíc.{{cite news |title=Slovácko má střelce z Eindhovenu! Bude obr lepší než krajan Van Kessel? |url=https://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/fotbal-1-liga-rocnik-2019-20/381036/slovacko-ma-strelce-z-eindhovenu-bude-obr-lepsi-nez-krajan-van-kessel.html |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=Blesk |date=1 July 2020 |language=cs}} He scored three goals in 20 appearances throughout the 2020–21 season, helping Slovácko to qualify for the new UEFA Europa Conference League with a fourth-place league finish. He scored six goals from 23 league appearances in the 2021–22 season, and also scored two goals in four games in the club's Czech Cup campaign Slovácko won the competition for the first time by beating Sparta Prague 3–1 in the final, and Cicilia said that: "the season was hard, a little up and down for me. I'm proud of the boys for how they did it".{{cite news |last1=Kopl |first1=Libor |title=Fotbalisté Slovácka zapíjeli triumf na Slunci. Sadílek brečel, "Šumi" děkoval |url=https://slovacky.denik.cz/fotbal-prvni-liga/fotbaliste-slovacka-zapijeli-triumf-na-slunci-sadilek-brecel-sumi-dekoval-202205.html |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Deník |date=19 May 2022 |language=cs}} Cicilia left Slovácko without saying goodbye two weeks before end of his contract.{{cite news |last1=Koštuřík |first1=Michal |title=Cicilia se vypařil, se Slováckem už netrénuje. Nevím, kde je, říká manažer|url=https://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/fotbal-1-liga-rocnik-2022-23/415931/cicilia-se-vyparil-se-slovackem-uz-netrenuje-nevim-kde-je-rika-manazer.html|access-date=12 August 2022 |work=Blesk|date=22 June 2022 |language=cs}}

=Heracles Almelo=

On 11 August 2022, Cicilia joined Eerste Divisie club Heracles Almelo on a two-year contract.{{cite news |last1=Procházka |first1=Václav |title=Ztracený útočník? V Česku ho neuvidíme, ale už se našel|url=https://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-ceska-1-liga-ztraceny-utocnik-v-cesku-ho-neuvidime-ale-uz-se-nasel-3542940|access-date=12 August 2022 |work=sport.cz|date=11 August 2022 |language=cs}} He scored six goals in twenty league games as Heracles Almelo secured promotion as 2022–23 Eerste Divisie champions. On 2 July 2023, his contract with Heracles was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web|publisher=Heracles Almelo|url=https://www.heracles.nl/2023/07/02/rigino-cicilia-vertrekt-bij-heracles-almelo/|title=Rigino Cicilia Vertrekt Bij Heracles Almelo|date=2 July 2023|language=nl}}

=Return to Slovácko=

On 11 July 2023, Cicilia rejoined Slovácko on a two-year contract.{{cite web |title=Rigino Cicilia je zpět!|url=https://www.fcslovacko.cz/cs/novinky-a-tym/1293-rigino-cicilia-je-zpet|access-date=11 July 2023|publisher=1. FC Slovácko|date=11 July 2023|language=cs}} He scored three goals in 23 games during the 2023–24 campaign.

International career

Cicilia was named in the Curaçao U20 squad for the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico, and played both games at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla City; a 3–0 defeat to Mexico and a 2–1 defeat to El Salvador.{{cite web|title=A1-spits Rigino Cicilia definitief opgeroepen voor nationale selectie|url=http://www.rodajc.nl/nieuwsbericht/08-02-2013/a1-spits-rigino-cicilia-definitief-opgeroepen-voor-nationale-selectie/|website=rodajc.n|publisher=Roda JC|access-date=30 June 2016|language=Dutch}}

Style of play

Cicilia is a {{height|m=1.97}} forward, but despite his size is a goal poacher rather than a target man.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale fan's view: Why midfield is Bruno's biggest problem|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-fan-s-view-why-midfield-is-bruno-s-biggest-problem/story-29931345-detail/story.html|access-date=26 November 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=25 November 2016}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 5 May 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Roda JC Kerkrade

|2013–14

Eredivisie00000000
2014–15Eerste Divisie2013100232
2015–16Eredivisie20000020
colspan="2"|Total

!22

13100252
RKC Waalwijk (loan)

|2015–16{{cite web|title=Profile|url=http://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/rigino-cicilia.htm|website=vi.nl|access-date=30 June 2016}}

Eerste Divisie2361100247
Port Vale

|2016–17{{Soccerbase season|id=71254|season=2016|accessdate=1 January 2016}}

EFL League One29431003{{efn|name=flt|Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy}}0355
rowspan="3"|FK Sūduva

|2017{{Soccerway|rigino-cicilia/281872}}

A Lyga30000030
2018A Lyga298209{{efn|1 appearance and 1 goal in the Lithuanian Supercup, 4 appearances and 3 goals in the UEFA Champions League, and 4 appearances in the UEFA Europa League}}44012
colspan="2"|Total

!32

820944312
rowspan="3"|FC Eindhoven

|2018–19

Eerste Divisie1110000111
2019–20Eerste Divisie28113000003111
colspan="2"|Total

!39

123000004212
rowspan="3"|Slovácko

|2020–21

Czech First League1832000203
2021–22Czech First League236422{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in the UEFA Conference League}}0298
colspan="2"|Total

!41

96200204911
Heracles Almelo

|2022–23

Eerste Divisie2060000206
rowspan=3|Slovácko

|2023–24

Czech First League2131000223
2024–25Czech First League0000000000
colspan="2"|Total

!21

3100000223
colspan="3"|Career total

!227

491950014426058

{{notelist}}

Honours

Individual

  • A Lyga Team of the Month: June/July 2018

FK Sūduva

Slovácko

Heracles Almelo

References

{{Reflist}}