Arsenal complete signing of Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton

Arsenal have completed the signing of Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton until the end of the season.

The full-back becomes Mikel Arteta's second defensive signing of the January window after the arrival of Pablo Mari earlier this week.

Cedric will be out of contract at St Mary's at the end of the season but has only joined Arsenal on a temporary basis having been told that he was free to leave Southampton following their loan deal for Kyle Walker-Peters.

"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," technical director Edu told Arsenal's official website.

"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 Cedric as part of the club."

Cedric spent the second half of last season on loan at Inter Milan but had made 16 Premier League starts for Southampton so far this term.

The 28-year-old Portugal international joined Southampton from Sporting Lisbon in 2015, going on to make 138 appearances for the club.

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