Mikel Arteta led Arsenal have completed their second January signing with the addition of Cédric Soares, the Southampton fullback, on loan until the end of the season. Cedric Soares, who is out of contract with the Saints this summer, will add cover in what has been a problematic position in recent months and his addition is expected to complete the club’s incoming transfer window activity.
The lack of significant financial commitment required to move for Soares, plus the player’s availability on a free transfer in the summer, eventually made the 28-year-old their top target.
He’s our Cedric! ✅
Welcome to London. Welcome to Arsenal.
👋 @OficialCedric pic.twitter.com/U6SSYKDSJU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 31, 2020
The Arsenal technical director Edu said:
“Cedric is a defender with good experience of the Premier League and of course at international level. He is another strong addition to our defensive unit who will provide our squad with quality.
I know he is a player who plays with absolute full commitment and energy. We are all looking forward to going into the last stages of the season with Cédric as part of the club.”
Soares has 33 caps for Portugal, joined Southampton from the Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in 2015 and has played for them 138 times. He spent the second half of 2018-19 on loan at Italian side Inter but featured sporadically for the Serie A club and a longer-term arrangement was not pursued.
👋 Welcome to the club, @OficialCedric!
📍 Arsenal Training Centre🆕 Go behind the scenes of Cedric's arrival… pic.twitter.com/4o9C6Hv64Q
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 31, 2020
An injury sustained in Saints’ match against Crystal Palace earlier this month means he will be unavailable for an Arsenal debut at Burnley on Sunday but he is likely to be available when they face Newcastle on 16 February, following the Arsenal’s winter break.
‘We were close a few years ago, so it’s not the first time,’
‘It didn’t happen that time but now thank God it came true. I’m super happy.
‘It was important for me in my career to come here. Southampton gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League but obviously it’s amazing this step, to come here and play for Arsenal.
‘To be able to reach this point is unbelievable. I try to be a guy with energy, a player that goes up and down.
‘I like to consider myself a team player and yes, what can I say? It’s difficult when you need to talk about yourself! But again, I will give my 100 per cent for the team and for the fans.’
