Ricardo Pereira is one of the greatest full-backs to have played for Leicester City.
Pereira has played at right-back for much of his career at King Power Stadium, becoming a fan favourite in that time.
The seven-cap Portugal international has predominately played as an inverted right-back during his time with the Foxes and has even been deployed as a number eight.
The City defender is one of the longest-serving players at the club and is a role model for everyone.
With that said, here is everything you need to know about the life and career of Pereira including answers to all of your frequently asked questions.
Ricardo Pereira personal profile
- Full name: Ricardo Domingos Barbosa Pereira
- D.O.B: 6 October 1993
- Birthplace: Lisbon, Portugal
- Height: 5’9″ (1.75m)
- Position: Right-back
- Number: 21
When did Ricardo Pereira join Leicester City?
Leicester City paid Porto £22m for the signature of Ricardo Pereira in May 2018, as per LeicestershireLive.
The Foxes outlaid an initial £17.5m plus £4m in add-ons for the then 24-year-old.
Ricardo Pereira stats
Pereira has racked up 161 appearances for Leicester during his near six-year spell at the club, as of March 2024 (Transfermarkt).
The 30-year-old has netted 13 times and laid on 18 assists, which is an impressive return for a defender.
What injury did Ricardo Pereira suffer?
Pereira sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Aston Villa in February 2020, which kept him out of action until December of that year.
That wasn’t the last of his injury troubles, though, as the following season he suffered a hamstring injury before rupturing his Achilles tendon during a pre-season friendly against Sevilla in 2022.
Pereira’s injury woes seem to be behind him now, as he’s remained fit throughout much of the campaign under Maresca and looks back to his very best.
What is Ricardo Pereira’s salary?
According to Spotrac, The Foxes defender is estimated to take home around £80,000-per-week, which equates to an annual salary of £4,160,000.
That would make Pereira the second-highest-paid player at the club, only behind legendary striker Jamie Vardy.
What is Ricardo Pereira’s goal celebration?
Leicester fans will be used to seeing Pereira’s salute celebration after netting for The Foxes, though, it seems nobody really knows why he adopted it.
Anyhow, it’s certainly become an iconic celebration in the City sphere and one that supporters will be keen to see more over the coming years.
Ricardo Pereira song lyrics
The King Power faithful awarded Pereira his own chant during his debut season at the club in 2018/19. It is sung to the tune of Abba’s ‘Fernando’ song.
Here are the song lyrics:
Running down the wing in royal blue, scores belters too Ricardo
He’s a lad we bought from Portugal, he’s magical Ricardo
(Repeat)
What clubs has Ricardo Pereira played for?
The 30-year-old started his professional career in his native Portugal and has represented four clubs at senior level.
Pereira made his professional debut at Vitoria Guimaraes before Porto snapped him up in July 2013. The Lisbon-born defender played with the B team prior to his move to the senior set-up 18 months into his Dragons career.
Sandwiched between his spell at Porto and Leicester, the Portuguese full-back enjoyed a two-season loan at Ligue 1 outfit Nice.
During his stay in southern France, he played under former Foxes manager Claude Puel, who later signed him for the East Midlanders.