Reebok's the only place for Riga

7:00am Wednesday 19th November 2008

RIGA would not swap the Reebok for anywhere else in the world.

The flying winger has made a promising start to his career with Wanderers, with his fast, direct style proving popular on the terraces.

And the feeling is mutual. Since signing from Levante for a nominal fee in the summer, the Dutchman says he has been enjoying life at his new club.

“There were a couple of offers from England, but I’m very happy with my choice of Bolton,” he told respected Spanish journalist Gulliem Balague.

“Knowing that the fans were loving me before I even arrived, and the welcome I got from the fans when I did get here, I don’t regret it at all. I would not change Bolton for any other club.”

Riga’s chances since arriving from Spain have been limited. He has started just three games and has missed the last two with an ankle injury.

But now back to full fitness, the 27-year-old is hoping to stake a claim for a starting place, hopefully as a central striker.

“If we play as a 4-4-2 I always prefer to be the second striker, behind the main forward, then I can use my pace and also try to distribute the ball and create goals. That's my best position,” he said.

“If I play there all the time; I create goals all the time. But I don’t mind if the coach wants to put me on the right hand side or on the left hand side.

“I always say that a good player must be able to manage in every position. I’ll manage. But if you want to see the best of Riga; you know where to put me.”

Riga is rarely without a smile – something which has helped endear him quickly to the Bolton public.

And the reception he has received since a difficult move from La Liga has helped him blend quickly into his new surroundings.

“I didn’t think that I would be able to settle in quite so quickly,” he said. “But the way that everyone has responded to me and welcomed me has made it very easy for me. I feel like I have been here for years. It’s amazing. I don’t even want to miss a single game.”