TRINIDAD and Tobago under-20 defender Rio Cardines has signed his first professional contract with Crystal Palace FC. The English Premier League side had a good 2023/2024 campaign, finishing in tenth place with 49 points – closer to the top four than the relegation zone.
The English-born Cardines, 18, initially joined the Crystal Palace Under-16s in 2022 and has gone from strength to strength progressing up the age groups.
He performed well in 2022/23 for the Under-18s, scoring on debut against Norwich City, recording 18 appearances in total with two goals to his name.
The 2023/24 season saw him continue to progress at under-18 level and made his debut for the under-21s against Athletic Club in the Premier League International Cup.
Cardines suffered an injury late in the 2023/2024 season, concluding the season with a strong 27 appearances in total (23 for the U-18s and four for the U-21s) with one goal and two assists.
While putting pen to paper, Cardines said: “It’s a great feeling to sign my first professional contract. I’m really happy, proud of myself, it’s been a long journey.”
Cardine will play with the Crystal Palace U21s next season, but he hopes to make his first-team debut (as quickly as I can)."
He said he enjoyed playing for the TT U20 team earlier this year in the Concacaf U20 Championship.
"A lot of fans came out to the games. Playing in front of a big crowd is something I want to get used to," he told Crystal Palace media.
Cardines initially joined the TT Under-17 squad in 2023 for the Concacaf U17 Championship and made the jump to the U20 squad. He impressed at the Concacaf U20 Championship with a goal and two assists in wins against St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica, before TT lost 3-0 to Canada.
In an interview with TTFA earlier this year, Cardines described himself as a versatile, well-rounded player. "I play in many positions. At Palace I play left-back and right-back. And here (TT U20s), obviously, more attacking, I feel like I do the majority of the roles on the pitch."
Cardines said his family is his main motivation.
"I wanna do them proud. I wanna be able to give my family nice things and just make them happy. That's what it's about."
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