CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC today announced the transfer of two-time All-League selection Ricky Ruiz to USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the transfer were not disclosed.

Ruiz, 27, makes his return to the USL Championship after spending the first half of 2024 with Chattanooga, his second stint with the club. Between this season and 2020-21, Ruiz made 59 appearances across all competitions for the Red Wolves, scoring six times and assisting 13 goals. Prior to his return to Chattanooga, Ruiz spent the 2022-23 seasons playing under Wilmer Cabrera with Rio Grande Valley FC and was a key figure in the Toros' run to the 2022 USL Championship Western Conference Quarterfinals. Starting 56 times in 68 matches across all competitions, Ruiz bagged six goals and eight assists during his tenure in South Texas.

"I'm very excited and I'm happy to be [in El Paso] to help turn things around," Ruiz said. "Having worked with Wilmer in the past, I'm glad he took me into consideration, so I look forward to playing with him again and I hope to perform to the best of my ability. I'm excited to meet the fans, who always have great energy, and I can't wait to see them out at the stadium."

Ruiz got his start in professional soccer in 2019 with NISA's Los Angeles Force, helping the California side reach the West Coast Championship and notching a goal and an assist along the way. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside, where he played between 2014-17. During his time with the Highlanders, Ruiz made 75 appearances, scoring six goals and tallying 12 assists.