Red Bull New York is acquiring defensive midfielder David Ruiz on loan from defending MLS Cup champs Inter Miami in a last-second move before the close of the transfer window.
Ruiz will arrive in Harrison, N.J. for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, and there is an option to purchase his contract after the season ends. The deal had been first hinted at by Area Sports Network's Daniel Rebain late Tuesday night and the club officially announced the move on Wednesday afternoon.
The 22-year-old fits the bill for what the Red Bulls have been doing when it comes to players it brings in, as the front office continues to shape the club in the style that head coach Michael Bradley and head of sport Julian de Guzman had envisioned.
Diego Rossi of Monterrey controls the ball under pressure from David Ruiz of Inter Miami CF during the Leagues Cup Phase One match at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Getty Images
"We are excited to welcome David to Red Bull New York and we look forward to helping him to take the next step in his career," de Guzman said in a statement. "David is a talented midfielder, who brings a combination of technical quality and competitiveness group, and has already gained valuable MLS experience, and we believe his profile fits very well with the way we want to play."
Red Bull New York remains in a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the club has struggled since the restart of the season following the World Cup. They've won just one match since the MLS regular season restarted, though they also had to contend with a second break during the Leagues Cup.
Still, the Red Bulls backline has not been what it should be, and their 46 goals conceded this year are the third most in the Eastern Conference.
Ruiz could help bolster that a bit with his arrival, though he comes with his own baggage.
The now-ex Inter Miami midfielder has dealt with injury issues that limited him to four MLS regular-season matches in 2025 during Miami's championship run. He's appeared in nine this season for the club.
However, when healthy, he is a talented defender who can help the Red Bulls.
"David is a player who can impact the game in a lot of different ways. He has the ability to play forward, cover ground, compete, and make things happen with the ball," Bradley said. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with him and we believe he can be an important addition to the group."
The deal is one of the club's only big moves during the summer transfer window, which closes on Wednesday.
The Red Bulls are getting Inter Miami midfielder David Ruiz on loan. MLS via Getty Images
The lack of movement has frustrated some of the club's most fervent supporters, which led to members of the supporters section chanting "Spend Some Money" during last weekend's loss to the Philadelphia Union .
