TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
D.C. United have sent winger Paul Arriola on loan to Championship club Swansea City, the club announced Monday. The deal was announced just before England's transfer deadline closed. D.C. have the option to recall Arriola before the Primary MLS transfer window closes on May 4, 2021.
While the deal does not include a purchase option, a source indicates that both clubs will revisit the possibility of a permanent transfer during the loan. Swansea currently sit second in the Championship and are hoping to clinch promotion to the Premier League.
“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 in a team release. “We wish Paul the best of luck and look forward to him rejoining our club.”
Arriola, who turns 26 next week, signed with D.C. United in 2017 after beginning his career with Liga MX side Club Tijuana. The US international has 14 goals and 12 assists in 69 MLS appearances. He suffered a torn ACL in preseason ahead of the 2020 season but battled to return to make his lone appearance off the bench in DC's final match of the season.
A regular under Gregg Berhalter, Arriola has 35 caps with the USMNT, including scoring twice against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. He can play on either wing, central attacking midfield, right wing back or even right back at times.
Arriola will join USMNT teammate Jordan Morris at Swansea, who signed for the Welsh club on loan from the Seattle Sounders last week.
D.C. United majority owner Jason Levien is also a co-owner of Swansea City.
