The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced today that they have signed defender Cristian Arrieta, an Orlando Fla. native. Per team policy, details of the contract have not been disclosed. "We're very excited for him to be a part of this team. We think he can bolster our defense and add to our attack," states Strikers Head Coach Daryl Shore. "Anytime you can add a player of his caliber, it really shows improvement to our group. We're excited to add him to the mix." Arrieta, 31, is one of the most decorated recent Division 2 players as he received the 2009 Defender of the Year award during his two-year long tenure with the Puerto Rico Islanders. In 2010, he appeared in 16 games for the MLS side Philadelphia Union. During his time with Puerto Rico, he helped the club advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2009. During Arrieta's time with the Islanders, the club won the 2008 Commissioners Cup while he established a remarkable offensive record for a defender. In 2009 Arrieta finished the season with seven goals and two assists, ranking him ninth in goals. In early 2010, Arrieta was ranked 14th in the USL First Division Top 25 of the decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade. Before he returned to North America in 2008, Arrieta played soccer in Italy for such clubs as Genoa and Lecce.
