Raúl Ruiz Matarín


Raúl Ruiz Matarín, known simply as Raúl, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Cypriot club AEK Larnaca FC as a right winger.

Club career

Raúl was born in Alicante, Valencian Community. After reaching the club's youth system at the age of 10 he was promoted to hometown Hércules CF's first team for the 2008–09 season, appearing sparingly – but scoring once – as they fell short of a La Liga promotion.
Raúl signed with Real Madrid in summer 2009, being immediately relocated to its reserve side. On 1 February 2011, he was loaned out to Swedish club Halmstads BK along with Castilla teammates Javi Hernández and José Zamora.
In late January 2012, Raúl terminated his contract with Real Madrid and signed until June 2013 with Albacete Balompié in the third division. After a loan stint at UD San Sebastián de los Reyes of the same level, he featured more regularly during the 2013–14 campaign, which ended in promotion.
On 1 August 2014, Raúl joined CD Guijuelo also in the third tier.

International career

In November 2008, Raúl was summoned by the Spain under-21 team, appearing in a friendly with Portugal in Cartaxo. He came on as a substitute for Dani Parejo in the 80th minute of a 1–4 loss.
On 10 February 2009, also from the bench and in a friendly, Raúl scored the third and final goal for the under-19s in a 3–0 win over England, in Bournemouth.