11Bryan RuizForward

As one of the Club’s primary transfer targets in the summer of 2011, Bryan Ruiz’s arrival was greeted with much excitement – for the Costa Rican forward was widely recognised as one of the leading talents outside of the continent’s top bracket leagues.

Ambitious and steadfast in his desire to improve, Ruiz, whose move to a top European league had long been mooted, is a player that has forged a reputation as a game-changing talent.

One that can play down either flank or through the middle too, he scored for fun at former club FC Twente whom he helped to the Dutch league title in 2010. In Holland, Ruiz became something of an icon thanks to his trickery and penchant for a spectacular strike – his goals against Bolton Wanderers and Everton last term suggest Fulham fans could become accustomed to something similar.

It is fair to say that the Costa Rica captain expected to make more of an impact in his debut season, but there is no doubt that he has all the attributes to be a big success at Craven Cottage. The 2012/13 season promises to be an important one for the player – one in which he could announce himself fully.