Bryan Ruiz, the man behind Costa Rica’s entry into the quarter-finals of World Cup 2014. The 28-year-old formidable striker has 67 international caps and 15 international goals to his name.
Born and raised
He was born in 1985 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Football was always in his system and he started training at a young age.
Â
Young footballer
He began his professional career at 18 playing for Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, in Costa Rica’s top division. Bryan was nicknamed in jest “la comadreja” (the weasel). When he was a part of the team, it won regional titles such as the UNCAF Cup and the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.
Â
International debut
Ruiz made his debut for Costa Rica against China on 19 June 2005. His first international goal came against Honduras in the 2005 tournament. He is now the captain of the Costa Rica national side, currently participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Â
Before Fulham
In 2006, Ruiz was signed by K.A.A. Gent in a 4-year deal. It was playing for this team that he scored his first hat trick on 8 December 2007 against Lokeren. In that season in the Belgian League, he was the captain and top scorer for the team. On 15 July 2009, the Dutch club FC Twente signed Ruiz for around five million Euro. Ruiz signed a 4-year deal with the Eredivisie side.
Â
Life in Fulham
On 31 August 2011, Fulham announced signing Ruiz for an undisclosed fee. On 7 April 2012, Ruiz broke a bone in his foot, the injury requiring him to undergo an operation, which kept him out of action for 10 weeks. He finished the 2012–2013 season making 31 first-team appearances and scoring five goals. He is now a part of the Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven since 15 January 2014, on loan until the end of the season.
Â