CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday that midfielder Dante Polvara had returned to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen FC following the completion of his successful loan tenure in the Lowcountry.

Polvara heads back overseas for the beginning of Aberdeen’s preseason for their 2023-24 domestic and European campaigns.

“From day one, everyone was so welcoming at the team, and I instantly fell in love with Charleston and the club,” said Polvara. “I knew it was a great decision, a place I already miss so much and will always visit. I think the past few months were important for me, to be playing games and learning from the coaching staff, the USL Championship has plenty of quality and it was a good challenge every week.”

The 6-foot-4 defensive midfielder was a mainstay in Ben Pirmann’s lineup and had a key role in the Battery’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. He logged 1,456 minutes played and is the only player to feature in all 21 of the Battery’s matches to date (USL Championship and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup).

An impact player all over the pitch, Polvara tallied one goal and two assists, along with 21 tackles won, 24 interceptions and 78 duels won, in USL Championship action. Polvara earned league Team of the Week honors in Week 6 after scoring his first career professional goal, a match-winner against FC Tulsa on April 15.

“We are very thankful for the work that Dante put in over the last four months,” said Pirmann. “Dante is a great player and an even better person, and both our club and community are better for Dante’s passion. We wish him the best as he returns to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.”

The 2021 winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy as the top player in NCAA Division I men’s soccer while at Georgetown University, Polvara signed professionally with Aberdeen in January 2022 and made his Scottish Premiership debut last March. The Dons finished third in the Premiership this past season, qualifying the side for the playoff round of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.

Polvara will take aim at becoming a regular part of the club’s lineup following an impressive stint in Charleston, a place that has become close to his heart during his stay.

“I’d just like to thank all the fans for their constant support through the ups and downs of this first half of the season, it’s been an absolute pleasure playing at Patriots Point,” said Polvara. “Among my favorite moments with the club have been every time we scored at home, it was always a special feeling with the home fans. This has been some of the best months of my life and I will be supporting from afar every week, hopefully in person soon.”