On August 10, D.C. United acquired Paul Arriola for the highest transfer fee in club history, making the U.S. Men's National Team midfielder United's newest Designated Player and the final signing of what was quite the active summer transfer window for the Black-and-Red. Here's what you need to know about the standout midfielder.
Top-tier experience
Arriola comes to the District after spending the last four years with Club Tijuana in Liga MX, where he made more than 100 appearances in all competitions for Xolos. The 22-year-old has also represented the United States at every level, most recently in the Gold Cup, during which Arriola had a breakout tournament. Despite his youth, Arriola already has a place in U.S. Soccer history—he is only the ninth player to have scored a goal in his first two international matches.
D.C. United connections
Arriola is already familiar with numerous United players thanks to his experience with the USMNT. Last month, the Californian was teammates with keeper Bill Hamid during the USMNT's Gold Cup run. Arriola also went through the national team's youth system alongside Russell Canouse—one of United's other transfer window additions.
Desire to be in the District
During his introductory press conference, Arriola emphasized that while he had options elsewhere, he ultimately decided D.C. was the best place for him to continue his career.
“I had to look at all of my goals—my short-term, medium-term and long-term goals, and when I looked at them, the plan that D.C. has for me is what I'm looking for," Arriola said.
Joining D.C. United provided an ideal opportunity for Arriola during a unique time with the club. As United prepare to send off RFK and transition into Audi Field, there has also been the recent influx of youth and talent.
"With the new players that we have and the young, newer faces going forward, I think it’s great," Arriola said of United's recent roster moves. "Obviously, getting a new stadium and slowly transitioning to that is something that’s going to be very special and I’m really excited for it. In the end, this was a spot I felt comfortable with."
Young, technical, talented
Arriola's style of play will be a welcome addition to the Black-and-Red attack moving forward. The midfielder can use his pace to blow by defenders, has technical finishing ability in the final third, and is in the prime of his career, making his upside with United huge. "I’m looking to grow and constantly be on the field,” Arriola said when talking about his development goals in D.C.
Now, as Arriola continues to develop, United will also continue to improve. "We've added talent, we've filled positional needs and we're very excited, not only about Audi Field, but about this year because this season's not over," Dave Kasper, United general manger, said of Arriola.
