Cedric Soares: Arsenal confirm Southampton right-back's signing

Arsenal have completed the signing of Southampton right-back Cedric Soares.

The Portuguese defender, aged 28, has joined the Gunners on loan until the end of the season, with a free transfer to follow in the summer when his contract at St Mary’s expires.

Southampton confirmed in a statement that Cedric’s loan move was ahead of a free transfer in the next transfer window, whereas the Gunners only mentioned the initial loan move.

Cedric will provide competition for Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Cedric joined the Saints from Sporting Lisbon in 2015. He has clocked up more than 100 appearances for the south coast club.