RIGA is relishing his role as a cult figure on the Reebok terraces.

The Ghana-born winger feels he has a special relationship with the Wanderers supporters.

Despite a relative lack of first team starts since his summer switch from Levante, he has a bond with the fans he regards as special.

A recent ankle injury further curtailed his progress but now, fighting fit, he is ready to resume his special relationship with the supporters who were quick to take him to their hearts.

Few foreign imports to the club have embraced their new surroundings quite like the Dutchman, and he is at a loss to explain those who have run the town down in the past.

No-one will forget the example of German midfielder Didi Hamann, who was reported to have changed his mind about a move to Wanderers after visiting a local McDonalds and failing to understand the accent.

“I can’t believe any player would ever say they do not enjoy life in Bolton,” Riga said. “Everyone is so friendly here, it feels right for me.

“The Bolton fans seemed to know me before I came to the club, so it was as if they brought me home. They made me feel as if I am not a stranger here.

“It is unbelievable to arrive in a place and for people to open the door for me and smile at me in the street. It was as if I was lost and they have brought me back.”

Riga was, by all accounts, something of a fans’ favourite at his troubled former club Levante, whom he helped back into Spain’s top flight and was top scorer for two consecutive seasons. During his time in Valencia he was apparently dubbed “the bullet” because of his electric pace.

Yet he was forced to shoot off elsewhere in the summer after financial problems left the players without pay for eight months.

An experience such as that might well make someone more appreciative of their new surroundings, but Riga is genuine when he sums up his feelings.

“For me, nothing is more important than to play for the fans and work hard for the fans,” he said. “To give them what they have come for.

“Every word I say, I mean. The fans come to the stadium to support us, for entertainment, and I will always try hard to do that.

“I have never seen fans like them anywhere before. I had a special relationship with the Spanish supporters at Levante but here it is more extreme here in Bolton. It means a lot to me that they really support me to the fullest.

But the ironic thing for Riga is that despite being one of the more popular members of the squad on the terraces, his fans have had precious few chances to see him in action over the last few months.

He sustained an ankle injury in only his second Premier League start against Manchester City, sidelined by what he called an “experienced kick” by Blues centre half Richard Dunne.

Now back in training he is hoping to reclaim a first team berth he has become accustomed to.

“I haven’t been on the bench for three years now,” he said. “I started a lot of games in Spain but when I first came to Bolton, I was not ready. I think I am now.

“I don’t know any football player who likes starting from the bench but it is the boss’ decision. I have to respect what he says.

“I’ll keep working hard and believing in myself. Hopefully that will be enough.”

Riga faced up to some of his young fans on Thursday, answering questions about the Netherlands to local schoolchildren as part of the ‘Go Global’ initiative.

“It was great to talk to all the kids,” he said. “They have their own thoughts about different countries, foods and cultures.

“I had some tough questions, especially about the gaffer but I think I did okay.”