Santiago Arias has found a new club. The defender has reached an agreement with the American FC Cincinnati, where he has signed a contract until the end of the year. Arias was offered to PSV last summer, but did not return to Eindhoven due to the high salary demands. The Colombian was clubless, so he can make the transfer to the MLS on a free transfer.
Arias’ search for a new club had been going on for a while. In mid-August, the Atlético Madrid defender was told he would not have to return from a loan spell at Granada as his contract would not be renewed. His services were then offered to numerous clubs, but nowhere did they see it in him. An attempt was also made to sell the 54-time Colombian international to Ajax and PSV. At the latter club, his salary demand was a stumbling block.
Santiago Es #TodoPorCincy. pic.twitter.com/95T9Vx4UA5
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) February 10, 2023
At Cincinnati they are happy with the arrival of the former PSV player. “Santi brings tremendous experience and quality to Cincinnati,” said General Manager Chris Albright. “His defensive acumen, character and overall qualities are a welcome addition to the group. I welcome him and his family to Cincinnati.” The MLS club has agreed a contract until the end of 2023 with the option of an additional year. Arias starts the new season on February 26 with a home game against Houston Dynamo.
The right wing defender was best known in the Netherlands for his time at PSV. Arias was taken over from Sporting Portugal for a whopping two million euros in the summer of 2013 and came to 172 matches in Eindhoven’s service, in which he managed to score 10 times and acted as a declarant 21 times. Five years later, PSV sold him to Atlético Madrid for eleven million. After rental periods at Bayer Leverkusen and Granada, he was told that his contract had been extended last summer Athletics would not be extended.
Related
More sports news
2 comments