MLS Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF Signs Academy Product David Ruiz as Homegrown to First Team Contract

Published on April 28, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami CF announced today that it has signed Academy product David Ruiz as a Homegrown Player to a contract running through the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with options for 2026 and 2027. The Miami, Florida native is now the sixth Inter Miami CF Academy product to sign for the First Team.

"David is a good player who has grown a lot within our system over the last few years and has already shown he can compete at this level. We're very excited to continue to help him along his upward trajectory at the Club," said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. "We feel we're continuing to make great strides with our development pathway and we're happy to have another young player like David come through it and reach the First Team."

"I feel really happy, really proud to have this opportunity...I was born here and I feel proud to sign for the First Team in my home city," said Ruiz. "Training next to the First Team motivated me a lot, and it's something I set as a goal for myself, that that's where I wanted to be."

Ruiz, 19, has featured twice for the First Team on short-term loans this season. He made his MLS debut on March 25, coming off the bench to feature against Chicago Fire FC at DRV PNK Stadium. Then on April 22, he again came off the bench again in a road match against Houston Dynamo FC. The Honduran-American has also made three appearances, including two starts, for Inter Miami II this season.

In 2022, the midfielder appeared in 16 MLS NEXT Pro matches, 13 of those starts. He excelled in his first full season at the professional level, notching two assists along the way.

Prior to signing a professional contract with Inter Miami CF II, Ruiz featured in the Inter Miami CF Academy, joining the Club in 2021 and first featuring for the U-17 team. Before joining Inter Miami, Ruiz played for Miami United Stars academy for seven years.

On the international stage, Ruiz has featured for the U.S. and Honduras at the youth levels, recently featuring for the U.S. U-19 Men's Youth National Team in January, and Honduras U-20 team in April as it prepares for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Ruiz joins Noah Allen, Edison Azcona, Benjamin Cremaschi, Ian Fray and Felipe Valencia as the first Homegrown signings to graduate from the Club's Academy to the First Team in Inter Miami history.

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