Girona confirm signing of forward on five-year deal from Portugal | OneFootball

Girona have confirmed their second signing of the summer after the arrival of Sparta Prague defender Ladislav Krejci, with former Barcelona forward Abel Ruiz joining on a five-year deal from Braga. The 24-year-old admitted that he had been receiving interest from Girona Sporting Director Quique Carcel for some time.

Ruiz will cost Girona between €8.5m and €9m depending on reports, plus youth player Gabri. Managing just eight goals and three assists for Braga last year, managers clearly still appreciate his work off the ball and as a reference point, with Santi Denia calling him up to the Olympics squad for Paris.

It is not yet clear whether he is expected to be a replacement for Artem Dovbyk, who has been heavily linked with a move this summer, or if he is extra depth alongside 37-year-old Cristhian Stuani. Ruiz’s goal record is not the most impressive, but he is schooled in a similar football to the one Michel Sanchez seeks, having come through at La Masia.