One of the hidden gems to watch heading into the new Premier League season is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ John Arias, signed from Fluminense for a fee of £15 million. The Colombian winger arrives with a reputation for pace, flair, and creativity, and Wolves fans will be eager to see if he can bring the same spark that lit up the Brasileirão to Molineux.
Arias' Journey
Arias began his career at Patriotas in Colombia, though he was immediately loaned to Llaneros for the 2017 season. At Llaneros, he made 31 league appearances and scored 5 goals, showing promise as an energetic wide player. Returning to Patriotas, he featured in 36 league matches and scored 4 goals before earning his first major silverware — the 2020 Categoría Primera A title with Independiente Santa Fe.
His career took a big leap in the summer of 2021 when he signed for Fluminense in Brazil. At Flu, Arias developed into one of the most reliable and versatile attacking midfielders in South America.
After a quiet first year in Brazil — just 21 appearances and a single goal as he adapted to a new country and style of play — John Arias’ trajectory accelerated rapidly.
In 2022, he established himself as a mainstay in Fluminense’s lineup, making 62 appearances and scoring 16 goals. His contributions helped the Rio side qualify for the Copa Libertadores, setting the stage for his breakout on the continental stage.
The following year, 2023, was career-defining. Arias became the creative heartbeat of Fluminense’s attack, earning a place in both the Copa Libertadores Team of the Year and the South American Team of the Year. The highlight came in the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors, where Arias’ relentless dribbling, pace, and close control had the Argentine side's back line retreating in fear. His influence was pivotal in extra time as Fluminense lifted their first-ever Libertadores title.
Across that season, Arias played 61 matches and scored 12 goals, but his value went far beyond scoring — his assists, ball progression, and ability to destabilise defences made him one of the most dangerous wingers in South America. Goals or assists, whenever he had the ball, he was a threat.
In 2024, Fluminense endured a strange campaign, narrowly avoiding relegation, but Arias was pivotal in keeping them afloat. Across all competitions, he played 51 matches and scored 14 goals, with seven goals in 27 league matches. His ability to produce in key moments was crucial in securing survival.
It remains something of a mystery why, at 27 years old and fresh off a dominant Copa Libertadores campaign, no European club had moved for Jhon Arias sooner. Perhaps the perception that Brazilian-based talent needed to be younger to adapt played a role. But his true audition came on the global stage: the FIFA Club World Cup.
This time, unlike the old single-match format, Arias had multiple chances to showcase himself against top-tier opposition. In the opening match against Borussia Dortmund, he was electric. Every time he picked up the ball, yellow shirts backed off, unsure how to handle his pace and tight dribbling. That was followed by a decisive contribution in the 4–2 win over Ulsan HD, where Arias opened the scoring. A draw with Mamelodi Sundowns sent Fluminense through, and in the knockout rounds, he continued to shine.
Against Inter Milan, Arias was free roaming and the Italians didn't know how to cope. Germán Cano and Hércules were the scorers in a 2–0 victory.
The quarterfinal against Al Hilal brought another solid display, and even in the semifinal loss to Chelsea, Arias impressed, drawing praise for his work rate and attacking intent. His efforts earned him a place in the Club World Cup Team of the Tournament, cementing his reputation beyond South America.
Arias' In Wolves Colours https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/photo-resources/2025/07/24/2cfb9757-a47b-43ee-abbb-c82873901af8/Jhon-Arias-Wolves.png?width=2880
What can he bring to Wolves?
When Wolves moved quickly to secure his signature for £15 million, it felt like a bargain — the kind of signing that could be quietly transformational. In Arias, they have a speed-dribbling merchant with the skill to unpick Premier League defences and the pedigree of a proven big-game performer.
Wolves may feel the absence of Matheus Cunha this season, and his departure is no small loss. Yet, in Jhon Arias, they may have found a player with similar qualities — one who defenders dread facing, who thrives running with the ball at pace, and who can decide a match almost single-handedly. If Arias plays with the same confidence and flair he showed at Fluminense, Wolves will gain not only a replacement but potentially a match-winner in his own right.
Had Arias been a few years younger, he might have commanded a far higher fee and faced intense competition from Europe’s elite clubs. Instead, Wolves have stolen a march on the market, securing a player in his prime who’s already proven himself in South America’s biggest games and on the Club World Cup stage. If he adapts quickly to the **Premier League**’s intensity, Arias could well become one of the signings of the season — the kind of off-the-radar acquisition that turns into a headline act.