Fulham impress with Bryan Ruiz transfer coup

Martin Jol returned to his homeland to bolster Fulham’s attack with one of the most inspired signing’s of the summer transfer window. The Cottagers signed Costa Rican international striker Bryan Ruiz in a £10.6 million deal (€12 million) despite a reported late attempt by Newcastle United to hijack the deal.

Ruiz is an elegant, imaginative and intelligent player who moves to England after adapting successfully to European football at previous clubs in Belgium and the Netherlands. Ruiz is a very left-footed forward who can also operate on either wing and play in a deeper role behind a more conventional striker. He will not just bring goals and versatility to Fulham but will also provide assists and numerous chances for his new teammates. It is a surprise that Ruiz has not moved to a side competing in the Champions League.

Ruiz was clearly delighted with his move: “I’m really happy to be joining Fulham Football Club and playing under Martin Jol who is a manager I admire from his time managing in Holland for Ajax. I chose to come to Fulham because it feels more personal than other clubs I have visited,” he told the club’s official website.

Jol added: “Bryan Ruiz was always our intended target. He is a player who continues to attract interest from other top clubs so naturally I’m very happy, on this final day of the transfer window that he has decided to join Fulham.”

Ruiz began his career with Alajuelense in his native Costa Rica before moving to KAA Gent in Belgium. Once he settled, Ruiz quickly started attracting interest from scouts as he showcased his excellent technique and vision in the Jupiler Pro League. After 26 goals in 76 appearances for Gent, Ruiz was acquired by FC Twente, a club that possesses an admirable scouting network, for €5.5M in 2009.

Ruiz was outstanding in his first season as he inspired Twente to the league title in 2010, finishing as top scorer in the Eredivisie with 24 goals. He scored 36 goals in 61 games for Twente overall as well as impressing in their Champions League and Europa League campaigns in the last couple of seasons.

Twente chairman Joop Munsterman paid tribute to the striker in a statement on the club’s official website: “Bryan Ruiz has showed some real development over the last two seasons at FC Twente and he has been of great value to the club. He was pivotal in the club winning the trophies it did over the past two years, the absolute highlight, of course, was winning the league title.”

Munsterman admitted that the departure of their star player was always a possibility: “The way he’s been playing has attracted a lot of interest from foreign clubs. Bryan has always had the ambition of playing in one of the major European leagues and that time has now come for him to make the transition to the Premier League. We couldn’t hang on to Bryan. We wish Bryan the very best of luck and happiness for his future football career.”

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Picture:Getty Images

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