Official: Paul Arriola moves to Swansea City on loan

Another American is headed to Swansea. Just before the close of the winter transfer window, Swansea City has brought in D.C. United and United States Men’s National Team winger Paul Arriola on a short-term loan for the rest of the season, according to multiple sources. D.C. United and Swansea had yet to confirm officially as paperwork was being processed.

D.C. United has the option to recall Arriola before the MLS transfer window closes on May 4th. While there is no option to convert the loan into a permanent transfer, Steve Goff of the Washington Post indicates that talks will continue throughout the loan over whether to add a permanent transfer option.

Swansea City, whose owners are the owners of D.C. United, were keen to make this deal work to get the 25-year-old Arriola into the fold to help them as they push for automatic promotion to the Premier League. And, with the uncertainty behind MLS collective bargaining negotiations, the time seems right for Arriola to get some much-needed games to keep match fitness after missing nearly the entirety of 2020 with a torn ACL. Should the season begin earlier than the end of the EFL Championship season, the Black-and-Red can recall Arriola back to rejoin the team without him missing a match.

Arriola will join his USMNT teammate Jordan Morris, who made a loan move to the Swans last week. Swansea is betting on their American connection to provide the firepower on offense that they need to make the leap up to the top flight.

Update: It’s now official!

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