FRISCO, Texas (January 26, 2022) – FC Dallas has acquired U.S. Men’s National Team winger Paul Arriola from D.C. United in exchange for $1.5 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2022 and $500,000 in GAM in 2023, the club announced today. D.C. United will also retain 30 percent of any transfer value if FC Dallas transfers Arriola to a team outside of MLS and could receive up to an additional $300,000 in GAM if Arriola reaches certain performance-based metrics while with FC Dallas. Per team policy, additional terms will not be disclosed.
The $2 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) that FC Dallas paid D.C. United for the 26-year-old winger is an MLS record that nearly doubled the previous high mark of $1.2 million set last month.
Arriola will join the club at the conclusion of the USMNT World Cup Qualifiers in early February.
“To have a player like Paul Arriola come to FC Dallas is really an amazing thing,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “Very few players have a resume like he does at the age of 26. He’s also an incredible locker room guy. You don’t get to captain the U.S. national team if you’re not of the highest caliber and a great professional who works hard and has the admiration of his teammates and the coaching staff. We’re thrilled to welcome Paul to Dallas.”
Arriola, 26, joins FC Dallas after starting his MLS career with D.C. United as a Young Designated Player in August 2017. He played 92 matches overall, including 89 MLS regular season matches, and scored 20 goals and recorded 16 assists throughout five seasons with the club. In February 2021, Arriola was loaned to EFL Championship side Swansea City and made his debut in the 2020-21 FA Cup match against Manchester City before returning to D.C. United due to injury.
“I’m super excited to be joining FC Dallas and starting a new journey with this club,” said Arriola. “Coming to Dallas will be a great step in my career as it will continue to help me build towards my professional goals. I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates and staff.”
Prior to joining D.C. United, Arriola spent four years at Club Tijuana in Liga MX, where he scored 11 goals and added three assists in 116 overall appearances. Arriola made his professional debut on July 19, 2013 in a 3-3 draw with Club Atlas at the start of the 2013-14 season.
Arriola began his soccer career in the IMG Soccer Academy in 2010 before moving to the California based U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Arsenal FC for the 2011-12 seasons and the LA Galaxy Academy for the 2012-13 seasons.
Arriola has represented the U.S. National Team at various levels throughout his career, including 42 USMNT appearances since his senior debut in 2016. Arriola made his USMNT debut, scored his first international goal and recorded his first assist in the 3-1 win against Puerto Rico on May 22, 2016. He also helped the USMNT capture Gold Cup championships in 2017 and 2021.
Name: Paul Arriola
Connect with Paul: Twitter | Instagram
Position: Winger
Height: 5-6
Weight: 146 lbs.
Date of Birth: February 5, 1995 (26)
Birthplace: Chula Vista, California
Hometown: Chula Vista, California
Nationality: United States
Transaction: FC Dallas signs winger Paul Arriola from D.C. United in exchange for $1.5 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2022 and $500,000 in GAM in 2023.
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