THIS COULD NOW SEE NATHANIEL CLYNE DEPART ST MARYS
Southampton have signed right back Cedric Soares on a four year contract from Sporting Lisbon.
He becomes the Saints‘ second recruit in as many days, after Spanish striker Juanmi signed on Tuesday.
The transfer could see Southampton and England right back Nathaniel Clyne move on, with Liverpool and Manchester United heavily linked.
Liverpool have already had a £10 million bid rejected by Southampton, and are likely to come back with an improved £15 million offer.
Soares played alongside current club captain Jose Fonte in Portugal’s 1-0 friendly win over Italy on Tuesday. He was also an unused substitute in Portugal’s 3-2 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Armenia.
He has four international caps to his name
The 23 year old has spoken about the move to the official Southampton website:
“I joined this club because I believe we can do better and better every year.
“Everyone knows that the Premier League is a very, very good league – and maybe the best one in the world – so for me it’s a pleasure to be here, but even more of a pleasure to be in Southampton.
”Southampton is a big, big club in England and is very respected. It’s a club with a lot of history and, for me, it’s very important to play for a big club. I think this is a very good move.”
Soares was an integral part of Sporting‘s 2014/15 Portuguese Cup triumph, despite being sent off in the final.
He also made 24 league appearances last season as Sporting finished 3rd in the Primeira Liga.
He joined the club’s world renowned academy as an 8 year old, which has developed Ballon D’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo, and the likes of Quaresma, Moutinho, and former Manchester United winger Nani.
By Joseph Richardson
