Ex-Leeds United star’s World Cup TV reunion with Elland Road scout after goal | OneFootball

Former Leeds United scout Gaby Ruiz and Crysencio Summerville were reunited on screen after the winger scored for the Netherlands in their World Cup opener against Japan.

Ruiz was appointed head of European recruitment at Elland Road in 2017 after previous spells with Victor Orta at Middlesbrough and Elche, and the pair left in 2023 after Javi Gracia’s sacking and relegation.

He later worked with Orta at Sevilla and is now part of his set-up at Real Valladolid, while also serving as a DAZN analyst, whose World Cup coverage prompted the reunion. Summerville arrived from Feyenoord in 2020 for around £1.5m and, at 18, had to wait before becoming a first-team regular under Daniel Farke.

He claimed multiple individual awards in 2023/24 after 21 goals and 10 assists, but defeat at Wembley in the play-off final effectively ended his Leeds stay. West Ham United activated a release clause for a fee in the region of £28m. Ronald Koeman later handed him his first senior international call-up for the World Cup squad.

On air Ruiz congratulated him, recalling how he had told Summerville he would play at a World Cup and had now scored. “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.” The exchange was broadcast by DAZN.

Ruiz closed with further encouragement and predicted a Netherlands win against Sweden. Summerville’s club future is uncertain after West Ham’s relegation, and his World Cup involvement is likely to attract bids that could test the club’s resolve this summer.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk