Ricardo Gardner (born September 25, 1978 in St. Andrews , Jamaica) is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays left midfielder for Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League.
Gardner began his professional career with Harbour View F.C., where he debuted as a starter at only 14 years old.
Gardner rose to prominence following the 1998 World Cup, where his performances for Jamaica induced Bolton, then playing in the Football League Championship to offer Harbour View one million pounds for his services. Gardner immediately established himself a place with the first team, making 22 appearances, half of them starts, in his first year while scoring three goals. In his second season, 1999-2000, he established a place in the starting eleven, starting 23 of 26 games, that he has held on to since. Although Gardner suffered a cruciate ligament injury that took him out of action at the end of the season, he made a full recovery, and was able to return to the starting lineup in 2000-1, playing with the promoted Wanderers in the English Premier League.
Gardner has also been an important player for the Jamaica national football team for much of the last decade.
