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D.C. United nabs U.S. international Arriola from Tijuana on DP terms

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

D.C. United has acquired United States international Paul Arriola from Liga MX outfit Club Tijuana.

The Eastern Conference struggler announced the move with a statement on its website Thursday, adding that Arriola has put pen to paper on a multi-year Young Designated Player contract. The transfer is pending the receipt of Arriola's International Transfer Certificate.

As per MLS policy, the details of the deal were not disclosed, though United has confirmed the amount paid for Arriola's services is a club-record fee paid to a foreign club, eclipsing Luciano Acosta's move from Boca Juniors last year.

United did acknowledge how the club went about nabbing the winger's rights, with the statement reading, "United acquired Arriola’s rights from the LA Galaxy in exchange for $300,000 in general allocation money ($200,000 in 2018 and $100,000 in 2019) and $200,000 in targeted allocation money in 2018."

Arriola, 22, joins United after spending four years with Tijuana, making over 100 appearances for Xolos, including a match-winning goal during Tuesday's Copa MX clash.

Capped 11 times by the U.S. senior side, Arriola has been a constant presence in the country's youth set-ups, becoming just the ninth American to score in each of his first two international appearances.

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