Fulham have tonight completed the loan signing of Arsenal full back Cedric Soares until the end of the season.

The Portuguese international was Marco Silva’s top January target and his arrival – facilitated by a deal sheet at the end of deadline day – was made possible once the Whites had turned Shane Duffy’s loan spell from Brighton and Hove Albion into a permanent transfer. The 31 year-old, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, was eager to move across London for a greater chance of first-team football having slipped down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order this season and to reunite with Marco Silva, with whom he won the Taca de Portugal at Sporting.

Cedric told FFCTV tonight:

“I feel great. I wanted this deal to happen, so we all pushed in the same direction, and I’m really happy and pleased to be here. Me and my family are really, really happy for this move. It’s a great move and I can’t wait to start.”

Soares, who has plenty of Premier League experience having played for Southampton before moving to the Emirates Stadium, will provide competition for Fulham’s first choice right Kenny Tete.