Background
Riera was born in Manacor, Mallorca.
Riera was born in Manacor, Mallorca.
He played for Real Mallorca"s youth team aged 18 and played for Balearic Island selection U17 when they were champions of Spain. He stayed with the B-team until 2006 and trained with the first team in Peralada in 2004. He was Lionel Messi"s captain for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons.
Riera made substitute appearances for the Barcelona first team in 2004-2005.
He also played with the first team in friendlies against Marseille 04/05, China 03/04, Shaktar Donetsk 03/04. On 10 August 2006 Riera signed for Sunderland, and made his debut in the 3–1 defeat to Southend United at Roots Hall on 19 August 2006.
He played well in his debut game, but was sent off just three minutes into the following match, a League Cup match against Bury which Sunderland lost 2–0 at Gigg Lane. And although signed to Sunderland for three more years, he never played for them again.
Whilst signed to Sunderland, Riera joined Southend United on a month"s loan, the team against which he made his Sunderland debut.
He also joined Scottish Premier League side Falkirk on a season-long loan, on 17 July 2007. He joined Blackpool for a week"s trial in July 2008, which he left prematurely. Riera eventually rejoined Falkirk on another season-long loan.
He was finally released by Sunderland on 28 May 2009.
He currently resides in his hometown and runs a hotel.