Paul Arriola returns to D.C. United after loan to Swansea City ends early

D.C. United has confirmed that Paul Arriola will return to the club in the coming days, as all parties reached an agreement that his loan to Swansea City should be ended early. Arriola sustained a quadriceps injury that will rule him out for somewhere between four and six weeks, which would effectively rule him out of playing for the Swans unless they went deep into the Championship promotion playoffs.

Wales Online and the Washington Post both reported the news earlier today. It is unclear exactly how soon Arriola will arrive back in the U.S., but based on the recovery timetable for his injury, he could theoretically appear for United as early as their May 1 road game against the San Jose Earthquakes. More likely, though, home games on May 16 (Orlando City) or May 23 (Philadelphia Union) are the likely matches for him to make his season debut for the Black-and-Red.

Arriola’s loan began on February 1, and he made his debut in a 3-1 FA Cup loss to Manchester City, playing 26 minutes and getting involved on Swansea’s lone goal. From there, though, he played just two more times, totaling 18 minutes in league play. Swansea initially were said to be in need of more competition and depth for their wingbacks — Arriola’s natural position — but the 26-year-old USMNT regular appears to have played most of his minutes there as part of a forward pairing.

Arriola’s return brings United up to 28 players, though they will start the season with at least three potential starters from that group (Arriola, Steven Birnbaum, and Felipe Martins) unavailable due to injury.