Víctor Ruiz Torre (born 25 January 1989 in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF as a central defender.
Club career
Ruiz arrived in RCD Espanyol's youth system in 2006 at the age of 17, from Catalonia neighbours UE Cornellà. In 2008–09 he made his senior debuts, helping the reserve side win its Tercera División group, and subsequently promote in the playoffs.
On 6 December 2009 Ruiz made his debut with Espanyol's first team, starting and being booked in a 0–4 home loss against Racing de Santander. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, however, fielded him in a further 21 La Liga games that season, with the team finally ranking in 11th position; he added two goals, against Málaga CF (1–2 away defeat) and Atlético Madrid (3–0, home).
In 2010–11, Ruiz played all the minutes for Espanyol in the first 15 rounds. On 31 January 2011 he was sold to S.S.C. Napoli for €6 million in a four 1/2-year contract, with the Italians also ceding the sporting rights to Jesús Dátolo, who was playing with the Spaniards on loan.
On 30 August 2011 Ruiz returned to his country, penning a five-year deal with Valencia CF. He made his official debut on 10 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win against Atlético Madrid.
International career
Shortly after making his professional debuts with Espanyol, Ruiz was called to the Spanish under-21 team by manager Luis Milla. On 8 February 2011, in the last minutes of a 2–1 friendly win with Denmark, he was sent off for punching Nicki Bille, who celebrated his goal in front of Ruiz's face. |
