FC Dallas sign Paul Arriola in MLS-record trade from D.C. United

FC Dallas signed winger Paul Arriola from D.C. United in a record-breaking trade worth over $2m. 

D.C. United is set to receive $2m in General Allocation Money up-front, as well as a potential further $300,000 GAM in performance-based incentives, while also retaining a 30% sell-on clause if Arriola is transferred outside of Major League Soccer. 

“To have a player like Paul Arriola come to FC Dallas is really an amazing thing,” Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a club statement.

“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 recorded 89 MLS appearances with D.C. United after transferring from Liga MX's Club Tijuana in 2017, recording 20 goals and 16 assists. Internationally, the winger has been capped 42 times by the USMNT. 

The player will reunite with FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez, who previously worked with Arriola while acting as an assistant coach for the USMNT.

“I’m super excited to be joining FC Dallas and starting a new journey with this club,” Arriola said in a release. “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.”

Arriola shattered the league record for most GAM received from a single player. The previous statistic was held by Lewis Morgan after the New York Red Bulls acquired the player from Inter Miami for $1.2m GAM.

Arriola’s trade stands as the eighth intra-MLS deal worth $1m GAM or more since the summer, joining Kellyn Acosta, Jeremy Ebobisse, Alistair Johnston, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Maxime Crepeau, Kacper Przybylko and Lewis Morgan.