ribeiro came through the youth system at bristol city before earning his first professional contract, lasting two and a half years, with the club in december 2006. his first team debut came nearly two years later in a 2–1 win over peterborough united in the football league cup first round on 12 august 2008, but he was replaced after just 34 minutes after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament; the game at ashton gate finished 2–1 to city. the injury kept him out until next july.