Rio Cardines

Rio Solomon Cardines, born on 1 July 2006, is a promising young talent in the world of football, representing both Crystal Palace and the Trinidad and Tobago national team. This agile right-back or right wing-back has already begun to make waves in the footballing community, showcasing his versatility and determination on the pitch. With a strong foundation built during his youth career, Cardines is rapidly establishing himself as a player to watch.

Cardines' football journey began in the youth ranks of London Colney Colts, where he excelled at the under-12 and under-15 levels. His talent earned him a place at Stevenage's academy before he made the pivotal move to Crystal Palace's youth setup at under-16 level in 2022. It was here that he truly began to shine, contributing to the team's success in a pre-season tournament featuring prestigious clubs such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Dundee United in August 2022. His first competitive appearance for the Crystal Palace Under-18s came in November 2022 against Norwich City, where he made an immediate impact by scoring in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

As he progressed through the ranks, Cardines' performances caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago Under-17s for the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in January 2023. His development continued with the Crystal Palace U21s, where he played a crucial role in securing the Premier League International Cup title in the 2023-24 season. After a year of hard work, he signed his first professional contract with Crystal Palace in July 2024, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

Cardines made his first competitive involvement with the Crystal Palace first team as an unused substitute in the 2025 FA Community Shield, signalling his potential for future contributions at the highest level. He debuted for the senior Trinidad and Tobago national team in the 2025 Unity Cup, further solidifying his status as an emerging star. With a bright future ahead of him, Rio Cardines is poised to make an even greater impact in the world of football.