CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday the club had acquired American midfielder Dante Polvara on loan from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen FC ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Polvara debuted for Aberdeen in March 2022 after signing with the club earlier that year. The 6-foot-4 midfielder, who claimed the 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy at Georgetown University, has made 11 appearances across all competitions for The Dons and is ready to get started with the Black and Yellow.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to play here in Charleston,” said Polvara. “It’s nice to be back Stateside and in more familiar territory, but I’m just really looking forward to the season starting soon and playing games.

“Since I knew I had the opportunity to be here, I’ve been itching for that first game this Saturday. I couldn’t be more excited; the stadium looks amazing, the boys look sharp, and I’ll do whatever I can to contribute to a first amazing night on Saturday.”

Prior to heading to Scotland, Polvara had a standout career at Georgetown. In addition to earning the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded each year to the country’s top collegiate player, in 2021, he also earned the Men's National Player of the Year Award from TopDrawerSoccer.com. Polvara won the 2019 national title his freshman year and rejoins former Hoya teammate Derek Dodson in Charleston.

Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann is looking forward to bringing aboard Polvara.

“Dante has a very good pedigree as a footballer; he is cerebral, technical and clearly has tremendous size,” said Coach Pirmann. “For a tall player, he is very elusive and moves well. Dante will fit in well with the group, he is aggressive in nature and willing to do what it takes to earn three points each week.

“He is tough but is very calm in possession and can facilitate the build-up while arriving around the opponent’s area to create goals.”

A native of Pleasantville, N.Y., Polvara developed in New York City FC’s academy, where he also briefly played alongside AJ Paterson in 2018, before heading to college. He is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Italy.