Ex-Leeds United star's World Cup on-screen reunion with Elland Road scout after goal exploits
A former Leeds United scout and a star player he helped bring to the club have been reunited during a World Cup post-game interview.
Gaby Ruiz was appointed head of European recruitment at Elland Road in 2017 having worked previously with Victor Orta at Middlesbrough and Elche. The pair both departed Leeds in 2023 in the wake of Javi Gracia's sacking and the Whites' eventual relegation from the Premier League back into the Championship.
Ruiz, who worked with Orta again at Sevilla and is part of his current set-up at Real Valladolid, also has a background in broadcast journalism and analysis and is employed by DAZN. His involvement in their World Cup coverage brought a reunion with Crysencio Summerville, a player he helped recruit from Feyenoord in 2020. Summerville, who was captured for a sum of around £1.5m, had to be patient as an 18-year-old at Elland Road but eventually became a first team regular under Daniel Farke as Leeds attempted to earn promotion. The Dutch attacker won a number of individual awards for his 2023/24 season, in which he scored 21 goals, adding 10 assists. But when Leeds lost in the play-off final at Wembley it signalled the end of his time at Elland Road. A release clause in his contract was exercised by West Ham United who paid a fee in the region of £28m.
Ronald Koeman handed Summerville his first senior international call-up for the World Cup squad and the winger found the net in Netherlands' tournament opener against Japan. After the game he was interviewed by DAZN, who reunited him with studio analyst Ruiz.
"Do you remember me Cry?" the former Leeds scout began. "Congratulations. I'm very happy for you. I remember when I told you that you would play a World Cup and now your dream is real and you even scored. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart."
Summerville remembered the conversation, responding: "Thank you Gaby. I'm always thankful and grateful for your vision to see me, to trust my ability and in my talent. I want to thank you and Victor [Orta] a lot."
Ruiz ended the exchange with further encouragement for the ex-Leeds star and predicted a win for the Netherlands in their next game against Sweden.
Summerville's future is once again up in the air at club level following West Ham United's relegation from the Premier League. His World Cup involvement is only likely to increase the likelihood of bids from big league clubs that will test West Ham's resolve in the summer window.