Defender Led Finland’s Veikkausliiga in Minutes Played Over Previous Two Seasons
Defender Led Finland’s Veikkausliiga in Minutes Played Over Previous Two Seasons
TULSA – Another addition to FC Tulsa’s 2023 backline was made on Wednesday morning as the club inked left-footed Spanish center-back Ruxi to a 2023 deal, pending league and federation approval.
Roger Bonet, who goes by Ruxi (pronounced ROO-chee), spent the previous two seasons in top-flight Finland with AC Oulu and FC Inter Turku. The 27-year-old proved to be a perennial iron man with 70 appearances and four goals across all competitions over those two seasons, including starts in both of Inter Turku’s UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers in July of 2022. In addition, he led the league in minutes played over the previous two seasons.
“FC Tulsa and the USA are the perfect environments for me to continue progressing as a player and as a person,” said Ruxi. “I think we share the same ambitions and ideas between myself, the club, and the coaching staff and I’m really excited to join the club. I’m sure we will get along very well.”
Ruxi became one of Finland’s most dominant defense forces when he signed with Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat in 2020. He played a crucial role in FC KTP’s first-division promotion with two goals and an assist in 29 appearances. Following the 2020 season, Ruxi finished second in the league’s Defender of the Year voting.
His terrific season drew the eyes of Finland’s top division, the Veikkausliiga, and Ruxi signed with AC Oulu in 2021 before joining FC Inter Turku in 2022.
“Ruxi is a quality defender with a lot of experience,” said FC Tulsa head coach Blair Gavin. “He will be able to generate attacks for us by his ability to break lines and will create turnovers based on his ability to read the game. His qualities will benefit the style of play we are looking to implement.”
Prior to his time in Finland, Ruxi began his career with Spanish side Gimnástic de Tarragona before being loaned to UE Olot in 2016, only to return to Gimnástic the following season in 2017. With Gimnástic, Ruxi was once included in the squad for a La Liga 2 match and would conclude his time with the club as a 2017 Catalonian Cup champion. Ruxi also spent time with Spanish side Club Rápido de Bouzas in 2018 as well as SD Formentera in 2019 before signing with Icelandic club UMF Afturelding in 2020.
Ruxi becomes FC Tulsa’s third center-back signed to its 2023 roster.
FC Tulsa 2023 Roster:
Goalkeepers: Dallas Odle, Austin Wormell
Defenders: Angel Bernal, Bradley Bourgeois, Jorge Corrales, Adrián Diz Pe, Brett Levis, Justin Malou, Ruxi
Midfielders: Eric Bird, Rodrigo da Costa, Collin Fernandez, Blaine Ferri, Christopher Pearson, Luca Sowinski
Forwards: Moses Dyer, Marcus Epps, Siad Haji, Watz Leazard, Darío Suárez, Milo Yosef
