Crvena zvezda completed an important signing on 28 June 2016. After weeks of speculation Costa Rica international John Jairo Ruiz has joined the champions of Serbia.
He was introduced to the media by Zvezda's Managing Director Stefan Pantović.
"I'm honoured to welcome one of our biggest signings this summer ahead of our Champions League qualifiers. John Ruiz was born on 10 January 1994 and has made his professional debut aged 17 playing for the biggest club in his homeland, Deportivo Saprissa. He represented Costa Rica at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring three times. This alerted French champions LOSC Lille to secure his signature. Ruiz has also had loan spells with K.V. Oostende in Belgium and FC Dnipro in Ukraine."
Pantović also spoke about the player's characteristics:
"John is primarily a winger. He plays on the right flank, but he can also do well playing as the striker in a 4-3-2-1 formation. He possesses great pace, has a good shot and is a very hard-working player."
The 22-year old Costa Rican was in a good mood upon his arrival to Rajko Mitić Stadium.
"I feel great because I've come to a big club that has achieved so much in its history. I've heard a lot about this club. I'm aware of the great spirit in the dressing room, but also I know that winning is always expected here. I will always do my best to add something to the team."
There were more clubs chasing Ruiz this summer - clubs with more financial muscle, but the little winger chose Zvezda.
"The ambitions of the club were the major reason why I've decided to sign for Crvena zvezda. Everyone at the club wants to do well in Europe, to try and reach the group stage of the Champions League, and this is something that appealed to me. I want to be a part of that. People from other clubs were quick to talk about money, while everyone at Zvezda seemed really passionate about what they want to do football-wise. I'd like to thank them all for being so supportive of me in the past few days - they helped me make the right decision."
Ruiz has worked with some big-name players in his career so far.
"At LOSC Lille I trained with some big players. They helped me learn that every training session is an opportunity to imrove and grow as a player and that you always have to play with maximum effort. I believe my time in France has made me a better player mentally."
"At the moment I need to concentrate on understanding the coaches' system here to be able to fit in as quickly as possible. I've seen a few Crvena zvezda matches and I think it's great that there will be a lot of competition for all places. I don't mind the pressure of being referred to as the club's biggest signing of the transfer window. What I feel is joy about being here as football is what I enjoy the most. Getting a chance at a club as big as this is fantastic and I just want to repay everyone associated with Crvena zvezda who believed in me."
Ruiz is hoping that he will again be called up to play for Costa Rica.
"Every player wants to play for their country and I'm no different. But, for now, I just want to do well for Zvezda and impress everyone."