WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2021) - D.C. United announced today that midfielder Paul Arriola will join Swansea City A.F.C. in the English Football League (EFL) Championship on a loan until the end of the 2020–2021 Championship season. Swansea City A.F.C. are currently in second place in the EFL Championship as they push for promotion to the English Premier League next season. D.C. United have the option to recall Arriola before the Primary MLS transfer window closes on May 4, 2021. There is no option to buy Arriola in the loan agreement.
“We have spoken with Paul and we understand how exciting this step is for him in his professional career,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. “ We wish Paul the best of luck and look forward to him rejoining our club.”
The 25-year-old joined the Black-and-Red on Aug. 9, 2017 from Club Tijuana in LigaMX (Mexico). Arriola made his debut for the club on Aug. 12. 2017 against Real Salt Lake. The midfielder has scored 14 goals and recorded 13 assists in 72 appearances across all competitions for the Black-and-Red and has been named to the Major League Soccer (MLS) Team of the Week nine times.
Arriola underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in February 2020 after suffering an injury in a preseason match. After rehabilitating for nearly the entirety of the 2020 season, Arriola made his return as a substitute in the final match of the MLS Regular Season against the Montreal Impact on Nov. 8, 2020.
After overcoming injury, Arriola joined the U.S. Men’s National Team for their December and January Camps. After last featuring for the USMNT on Feb. 1, 2020, Arriola returned to the USMNT starting lineup on Dec. 10, 2020 and scored one goal and completed 90 minutes in the 6-0 win against El Salvador. Arriola also started and scored two goals in the 7-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Jan. 31, 2021.
The versatile midfielder will join Swansea City immediately in an effort to support the club’s objective of promotion to the Premier League, England’s top-flight division.
