Cedric Soares, known simply as Cedric, became Southampton’s second signing of the summer when he joined on a four-year deal on Thursday. Here, we take a look at the new Saints right-back…
Factfile
Name: Cedric Soares
Age: 23
Position: Right-back
Club: Southampton
Nation: Portugal
What’s his background?
Cedric was born in Germany before his family returned to Portugal when he was two. He joined Sporting's youth academy as an eight-year old in 1999.
He then made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2010, before going on to make 67 appearances for the club. Cedric also started as Sporting won the Portuguese Cup last season, although he was sent off less than 15 minutes into the final.
He has represented Portugal at every level from Under-16 upwards, gaining 72 youth caps in total. The right-back was first called up to the senior side in 2013 for a World Cup qualifier against Israel, before making his international debut exactly a year later in a friendly defeat against France.
And Cedric won his fourth and most recent cap as a second-half substitute in Portugal’s 1-0 friendly win over Italy on Tuesday.
What is his style?
Cedric is known for his attacking instincts and ability and desire to bomb forward from full-back. These are attributes which should suit him well at Southampton, who utilised the attacking combinations of full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand to great effect last season.
During his early days at Sporting he was occasionally criticised for neglecting his defensive duties in favour of attack, but it's an area where he has improved dramatically in recent times, honing his craft as a modern all-round full-back.
He is, however, just 5ft 7in, and opposition sides could take advantage of his lack of height in the more physical Premier League.
Where will he fit at St Mary’s?
As it stands, Cedric would be competing with Clyne for the right-back spot at Southampton.
But with big clubs in the Premier League reportedly targeting a move for Clyne, it looks more and more likely that the England right-back will be moving on from St Mary’s this summer. And this should pave the way for Cedric to make the position his own.
What he said
“I joined this club because I believe we can do better and better every year," he told Southampton's official website.
“Everyone knows that the Premier League is a very, very good league – 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.”
What Southampton said
“Cedric represents a quality addition to our squad, and is another player with a desire and hunger to succeed,” Southampton’s Executive Director of Football Les Reed told the official Saints website.
“Like Juanmi (Southampton’s first signing of the summer), Cedric is a young player with international experience as well as exceptional talent and potential.
“We have been following Cedric’s progress for some time and felt now was the time to make our move.
“While there was competition from other Premier League clubs we were confident we would prove to be an attractive option for such an ambitious player.
“We have now signed two exciting talents early in the window and will continue in our pursuit of Premier League success and our European journey.”