This past Tuesday, July 31, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid officially announced the signing of 26-year-old Colombian fullback Santiago Arias from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. The Medellin native has been playing professionally since 2009, but will have the biggest opportunity of his career.
Arias has played with La Equidad in Colombia, Sporting CP in Portugal, and with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. The 26-year-old had played in the Netherlands since 2013 and recently was named in the team of the season in the Eredivisie for the previous 17-18 season.
Arias has also been playing at the international level with Colombia since 2013 and has really become a vital player for Jose Pekerman. The fullback was very solid in the 2018 World Cup, which certainly must have made an impact in this signing for Diego Simeone.
OFFICIAL: Atletico Madrid has signed Colombian fullback Santiago Arias from PSV Eindhoven. #tufutbolinenglish pic.twitter.com/ng6m0ZxCT0
— FUTNSOCCER (@FutnSoccer) July 31, 2018
Arias does will have to fight with a starting role with Los Colchoneros and it will certainly not be easy with Juanfran still on the team. The Colombia international does provide a lot going forward, which may earn him more playing time over a player like Juanfran.
It will be interesting to see how Arias does in La Liga and how he can contribute to a super team like the one Atletico Madrid does have.
