FC Cincinnati sign Colombian International and former Atlético Madrid defender Santiago Arias
FC Cincinnati have signed veteran defender Santiago Arias (pronounced AH-ree-us) through the 2023 season with an option for 2024, the club announced today. Arias, 31, will switch to the orange and blue having last played for Granada in Spain’s La Liga on loan from Atlético Madrid.
The Colombian full-back has made over 275 appearances in Europe’s top leagues since signing for Portuguese club Sporting CP in 2011. He also had notable stints with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven (2013-18) and Spanish club Atlético Madrid (2018-22). . He has 54 caps for his country, including seven FIFA World Cup appearances, highlighted by starting XI in all four of Colombia’s games at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
“Santi brings a tremendous amount of experience and skill to FC Cincinnati,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati general manager. “His defensive instincts, character and overall quality are a welcome addition to the group and I would like to welcome him and his family to Cincinnati.”
Arias brings over 300 professional club and country gigs to Queen City. On July 31, 2018, he was acquired by Atlético Madrid after an impressive stretch with PSV Eindhoven and the Colombia national team. He made 51 appearances for Atlético, scoring one goal and adding three assists. Six of his appearances for the club came in the UEFA Champions League.
Arias most recently played with Granada in the 2021/22 season. He made 12 league appearances and two Copa del Rey appearances, scoring one goal and winning the game in the 86th minute in the 2–1 win over Deportivo Alavés on December 3, 2021. Before joining Granada, he spent the 2020- 21 season on loan at German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.
He previously played for PSV Eindhoven where he featured in 172 games over five seasons, including 10 in the Champions League, scoring 10 goals and adding 21 assists. Arias has won five titles with PSV, including three Dutch league titles (Eredivisie) and two Dutch Supercup victories. In 2017/18 he was named Eredivisie Player of the Year.
Arias made his European debut at Portugal’s Sporting CP in November 2011, where he made ten appearances for the first-team but spent most of his time at Sporting CP B, where he scored one goal in 28 appearances. Before moving abroad, Arias started his youth career with Colombian club La Equidad and joined the first team in July 2009 for his professional debut.
Internationally, Arias has 54 caps for Colombia, making his senior debut on 16 October 2013 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. He was included in Los Cafeteros’ 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he made three appearances, including one from the start. He started all four matches for Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and only came on in the 116th minute against England in the Round of 16, where Los Cafeteros fell on penalties.
Arias has provided six assists for his country, including twice in Copa America competition. He has represented his country in three Copa América tournaments (2015, 2016, 2019), including the 2016 Copa América Centenario in the United States, where he was in the starting XI and both games against the USMNT in the group stage opener and in game contested for third place.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati signs Santiago Arias on February 9, 2023 through the 2023 season with an option for 2024.
SANTIAGO arias
Pronunciation: AH-ree-us
Position: defender
Height: 5′ 8”
Birthday: January 13, 1992 (31)
Place of Birth: Medellín, Colombia
Nationality: Colombian
As Acquired: Signed a contract through 2023 with an option for 2024 on February 9, 2023.