[Sports] Arsenal sign Nuno Tavares from Benfica in £8m deal

 

Arsenal have completed an £8 million deal to sign Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares.

The 21-year-old is the Gunners' first summer signing and has committed to a long-term deal with the club.

Tavares, who made his first-team debut for Benfica in the Portuguese Super Cup win over Sporting in August 2019, has been handed the No.20 shirt.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: 'We welcome Nuno to the club. He is a young player with great promise who has developed very well with Benfica in recent seasons and has also shown his quality by being part of Portugal Under-21s.

'Nuno's arrival will give the squad extra strength and options in defence, particularly with this energy on the left side of the pitch.

'We look forward to Nuno's arrival soon, his integration into the Arsenal family and playing in front of our fantastic supporters.'

Arsenal's technical director Edu added: 'Nuno is a talented young player who was wanted by a number of clubs across Europe.

'He will provide strong back-up in the left-back position. We look forward to him growing and developing with us and becoming an important member of the first-team squad.'

Meanwhile, Tavares admits he was 'very happy' to learn about Arsenal's desire to sign him at the end of last season.

'When I finished the season my agent told me that Arsenal were interested in me,' said the defender.