Barcelona has confirmed it has terminated the contract of highly rated 19-year-old Kays Ruiz, who had returned to the club last summer after six years with French side Paris Saint-Germain.
The midfielder is a product of Barca’s famed La Masia academy but left after six seasons for the French capital. His return last year was seen as something of a coup, but Barcelona has decided to cut short his time at the Camp Nou, as confirmed via the club’s official website.
“FC Barcelona have informed the French player Kays Ruiz that his services are no longer required,” read a statement. “The French midfielder’s spell as a blaugrana, therefore, has come to an end. The Club wishes him all the best for the future.”
Kays Ruiz signed a three-year deal with the option for two more when he returned last year. His contract also included a buyout clause of €50 million that would double to €100m if he made it into the first team.
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What Went Wrong For Kays Ruiz?
Barcelona signed Kays Ruiz initially for the B team last summer hoping that he could force his way into the senior side as youngsters such as Gavi and Nico Gonzalez have done this season.
Ruiz made it clear when he came back how happy he was to be “home” and opened up on his desire to play for the first team, as reported in a July 2021 story in Mundo Deportivo.
“I am very excited to have returned, since I was little I wanted to play for Barça, but I experienced the ban from FIFA. I always had it in my head to go back, finally it has been possible,” he said. “I would like to be in the first team and see if I make my debut. I am very happy to return home, Barça has always been a family to me.”
However, the midfielder has struggled to make any impact for Sergi Barjuan’s Barcelona B side. Ruiz did not get off to the best start after testing positive for Covid-19 shortly after his arrival at the Camp Nou.
Problems With Injuries & Attitude?
Injuries were also a recurring theme for Kays Ruiz. An ankle problem was an issue this season, and he had managed only three starts for the reserve team and a total of 11 outings.
Meanwhile, Barca B coach Barjuan was said to have lost patience with Ruiz and his failure to shine by January. The youngster was also guilty of committing “several disciplinary offenses” as well as breaching “club rules,” according to Diario Sport.
Barjuan did warn the youngster to change his ways or face the prospect of the club making a “drastic decision.” That decision now appears to have been made as the youngster will not even end the season with the Catalan giants.
Indeed, Barca’s desire to go ahead and cancel his contract before the end of the campaign, and the club’s terse statement, speak volumes.
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Barcelona Rips Up Contract of Highly Rated Teenager