Rio Hardy (footballer)
Rio Hardy (born 29 June 1996) is an English football forward who plays for Bristol City in the Women's Super League 2. She grew up in Workington, Cumbria, and attended Stainburn School. As a youth she played for Seaton Girls, winning the County Cup, then joined Blackburn Rovers and helped them reach the FA Youth Cup final.
She studied in the United States with the South Alabama Jaguars from 2014 to 2017, earning a sports science degree.
Her senior club career has taken her around Europe: Blackburn Rovers (2013–2014), Grindavík in Iceland (2018), Apollon Ladies in Cyprus (2019–2021, captaining the team), Coventry United (2021), Durham Women (2022–2023), Rangers (2023–2025). On 31 July 2025 she joined Bristol City on a two-year contract.
She has represented England at England Colleges (youth level). She has a twin sister, Steffi Hardy, who is also a footballer, and she supports Manchester United. Her family is based in Workington.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:40 (CET).