CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati made another international free-agent splash Thursday with the signing of former La Liga defender Santiago Arias.
What You Need To Know
- FC Cincinnati signed Santiago Arias to a 1-year contract with an option for 2024
- The Colombian-born defender played last season for Granada in Spain on loan from Atlético Madrid
- The signing is the latest in a slew of defensive-minded moves by FC Cincinnati in recent months
The club announced his contract runs through the 2023 season, with an option for 2024, but didn’t release financial terms.
The Colombian-born Arias has made more than 275 appearances throughout the top leagues in Europe. The fullback also earned 54 caps playing for Colombia, including seven appearances in the FIFA World Cup.
“Santi brings an enormous amount of experience and ability to FC Cincinnati,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “His defensive instincts, character, and overall quality is a welcome addition to the group, and I’d like to welcome him and his family to Cincinnati.”
Arias comes to the Queen City after spending the previous season with Granada in Spain on loan from Atlético Madrid. He made 12 league appearances and two Copa del Rey appearances for Granada, scoring once, which was a game-winner against Deportivo Alavés on Dec. 3, 2021.
The 5-foot-8 Arias spent the 2020-21 season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga.
Since first heading to Europe in 2011, Arias has played for several top leagues in countries across Europe: Portuguese side Sporting CP (2011-12), Dutch power PSV Eindhoven (2013-18) and Atlético Madrid in Spain’s La Liga (2018-22).
In 51 appearances with Atlético, Arias scored one goal and had three assists. Six of his appearances came in the UEFA Champions League.
Born in the city of Medellín, Arias made his senior team debut for Colombia in Oct. 2013. He appeared three times during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Four years later, in Russia, he started all four of Colombia’s matches.
The Arias move gives FC Cincinnati an experienced right back to play alongside a couple of experienced full-backs in Ray Gaddis and Alvas Powell heading into the start of the MLS season.
The signing also adds to a growing list of defensive-minded talent the Orange and Blue have stockpiled over the past year.
The club added U.S. international center back Matt Miazga last season and recently brought in Colombian Yerson Mosquera, a 21-year-old defender, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC of the English Premier League. Other team signings include midfielders Obinna Nwobodo and Marco Angulo.
Veterans Ian Murphy and Nick Hagglund are also established players on defense.
FC Cincinnati made its first MLS Cup Playoffs last season. FCC begin their march toward another postseason run at home on Feb. 25 in their season-opener against Houston Dynamo FC.