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, The Post confirmed.
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.
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.
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.
The deal is one of the club’s only big moves during the summer transfer window, which closes on Wednesday.
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.
