Arriola excited to see Wayne Rooney following his loan move to Swansea

Paul Arriola

, who plays as a midfielder for

on loan from

, will meet his ex-teammate

Wayne Rooney

in a Championship battle.

Rooney, who is the manager of

, used to be the 26-year-old’s mentor when they played together at D.C. United. Since then, Arriola has dealt with a torn ACL in order to have his place back in the U.S. men’s national team and moved to Europe.

The two will face each other on a clash set on May 1.

“

Playing with Wayne Rooney was amazing,

" Arriola said. "

Wayne is a great guy, he is a great player. Not just in his leadership on the field, but off it too.

“I only have great things to say about him and my experiences with him. He definitely raised my level of playing, as was the case with my team-mates at the time.

“Obviously, it is exciting for him to now be in a new chapter being the gaffer.”

Jordan Morris

, Arriola’s fellow countryman, has joined Swansea City as well and it has benefited both U.S. internationals.

“[Morris] 

and I play together for the national team, and we go quite a way back over a few years,

" Arriola said. “W

e had both spoken about the potential move earlier in the month, and how good it would be to be part of this club.

“It’s been a lot easier, and will be an easier transition to have a familiar face who is such a good friend around."

On Wednesday, Arriola will have his debut clash against

in the FA Cup.

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