Southampton sign Soares

Southampton have completed the signing of Portuguese defender Cedric Soares from Sporting Lisbon on a four-year contract in a deal worth up to £4.7m.

The 23-year-old becomes the club’s second signing of the summer alongside Juanmi who arrived from Malaga earlier in the week.

Soares is primarily a right-back and likes to get forward as much as possible. His very quick speed and movement allows him to run down the flanks and cause havoc for the opposition and defensively he’s impressed many at Sporting Lisbon.

Standing only at 5ft7, he is fairly small however this will give him greater agility to get up and down the pitch and keep up with some of the Premier League’s quickest wingers. Soares was sent off most recently in the Portuguese Cup final against Braga as 10-man Sporting came behind from 2-0 to win the game.

With European football to play next season, this type of signing provides quality and depth into the squad although rumours linking Nathaniel Clyne with a move to Liverpool are refusing to go away. It is understood that Southampton would reject any bid lower than their £15m valuation as they desperately try to hang on to the England international.

“We have signed two exciting talents early in the window,” said executive director of football Les Reed.

“We will continue in our pursuit of Premier League success and our European journey.”

And Soares had a lot to say in his interview as he’s extremely happy to have signed for Southampton.

“I joined this club because I believe we can do better and better every year,” said Germany-born Soares.

“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.”