[nas] Ruiz nears deal to Wolves

Ruiz Nears Loan Deal With Wolves

 By Jim Barrero

LA Times Staff Writer - December 31, 2003

 

Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz said he is close to reaching agreement on a
three-month loan to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English
Premier League.

 

Ruiz, Major League Soccer's co-leading goal scorer last season, arrived
in England last weekend and watched the last-place Wolves score a 3-1
victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

 

"We have invited Carlos to come and try out English football with us,"
Wolves Coach Dave Jones told the team's Web site. 

 

"He is one of the leading goal scorers in America's Major League Soccer,
and we think he's got the attributes to do well in this country as well."

 

Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said the move is a win-win situation, because
the MLS club will not lose any service time.

 

"It's a great opportunity for Carlos. It fits what we wanted to bring to
him as a club," Schmid said.

 

"It's a good situation because if he does well in this trial, in turn it
makes him attractive not only in England, but other parts of Europe."

 

This month, another English team, Leicester City, had expressed interest
in Ruiz but decided against pursuing a transfer.

 

Ruiz, 24, could join Wolves as early as Thursday when the FIFA transfer
window reopens.

 

Ruiz told rojomania.com, a Web site devoted to his former team,
Municipal, in Guatemala, that he came to England to "fine-tune" details
of the arrangement, but he is still being "cautious and patient"
regarding negotiations.

 

Ruiz's agent, Richard Motzkin, who also traveled to England, said he is
confident a deal will be worked out.

 

"All the people of MLS are waiting to see what happens with this
transaction," Motzkin told rojomania.com. Galaxy General Manager "Doug
Hamilton and Schmid are in favor of this opportunity for Carlos."

 

If a deal is struck between Wolves and MLS, Ruiz is expected to stay with
the team until late March so he can return for the start of the MLS
season in early April. 


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