Ruben Bover became Barnet’s seventh signing of the January transfer window after impressing the Bees coaching staff while on trial at The Hive London.
The 24-year-old (pictured above left) – who was born in Mallorca, Spain – left last club New York Cosmos at the beginning of December when the North American Soccer League (NASL) outfit laid off the majority of its players and staff.
Prior to that, Ruben had helped the franchise originally made famous by the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia to consecutive NASL titles in 2015 and 2016.
Ruben began his career with local club Mallorca but, aged 17, he swapped Spain for Worcestershire and joined National League side Kidderminster Harriers.
Released by Harriers in the summer of 2010, Ruben joined Halesowen Town and caught the eye during pre-season before signing on a permanent basis.
His form for the midlands outfit caught the eye of Queens Park Rangers and he was offered a trial with the R’s. Instead he join Charlton Athletic in 2011 following a successful trial period.
Ruben’s professional debut for Charlton came in a 2-1 League Cup win against Reading in August 2011 before being handed his second start in the next round against Preston North End – a 2-0 defeat.
The second half of the 2011/12 season was spent on loan at Spanish Segunda Division outfit San Roque de Lepe with Ruben netting once in ten outings.
In July 2012 he signed a one-year extension with the Addicks but, halfway through the campaign he headed across the pond to join New York Red Bulls on trial.
A month later he joined the MLS side and made his debut in March 2013. There he played alongside Arsenal great Thierry Henry, Australian midfielder Tim Cahill and both Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
However, after 22 appearances for the Red Bulls, he was waived in March 2015.
Ruben stayed in New York and signed for the Cosmos, winning the National Premier Soccer League regular season title and being named NPSL MVP in his first season.
After impressing for the Cosmos’ second string Ruben was promoted to the first team in June 2015, scoring once in 13 NASL appearances en-route to winning the NASL Championship.
In his second season he played a bigger part for the Cosmos, scoring four times in 26 appearances as the iconic American club captured their second NASL title.
Career history
2009-10: Kidderminster Harriers
2010-11: Halesowen Town
2011-13: Charlton Athletic
2012: San Roque de Lepe (Loan)
2013-15: New York Red Bulls
2015: New York Cosmos B
2015-16: New York Cosmos
