Former Arsenal star Cedric Soares is closing in on a return to football after almost seven months without a club.
The Portuguese defender, 33, has agreed a three-month deal with Sao Paulo.
Former Arsenal defender Cedric Soares is set for a move to Sao Paulo[/caption]
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar and ex-Tottenham star Lucas Moura are in the Brazilian giants’ ranks.
Cedric was spotted at the Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium on Thursday night, and has been using the club’s training facilities to keep his fitness up.
Should the former Southampton ace impress his new employers, his stay in Brazil‘s biggest city could be extended until the end of the year.
Cedric recently admitted to finding life as a free agent difficult. He said: “I think it’s too early now to retire.
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“I’m fit and, thank God, I have had no serious injuries.”
Revealing he had turned down previous transfer offers, he added: “I wanted to immediately find a good project.
“I had some stuff in the beginning of the market which I didn’t take and then I had some things I was not really excited about.”
Cedric was one of 19 players to wave goodbye to the Emirates last summer, with Mohamed Elneny and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo among other stars not offered a new contract.
Cedric Soares career so far
A brief look at Cedric Soares’ club career to date…
2010 – 2015: Sporting Lisbon
2011 – 2012: Coimbra (loan)
2015 – 2020: Southampton
2019: Inter Milan (loan)
2020 – 2024: Arsenal
2023: Fulham (loan)
2024 – present: Free agent
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Cedric made 64 appearances for the Gunners during his four years on the books in north London.
While he has earned 34 caps for the Portuguese national team and was part of the side’s Euro 2016 winning squad.
Cedric was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016 winning squad[/caption]
Arsenal player ratings: David Raya saves all three-points for Arsenal but Trossard’s woeful deliveries an issue again
ARSENAL finally won a match with ten-men after Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off.
It was the Gunners’ fourth sending off this season and they had not won any of their matches without 11 players this term.
But Arsenal showed their character and battled past Wolves 1-0.
Here is how SunSport rated the players’ performances.
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Very little to do until the 63rd minute when he brilliantly tipped a deflected Matheus Cunha effort wide. He then stopped Rayan Ait-Nouri in a one-on-one in the 84th minute.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 6
Was having another fine game before being the victim of one of most ludicrous red cards in Prem history. His cynical trip was worthy of a yellow and nothing more.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Arsenal just look so solid with him in this backline. A welcome return from a minor hamstring injury. Kept Cunha at bay.
GABRIEL – 7
Led from the front and put his body on the line. Constantly headed away from danger.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Hit with some nasty challenges that required treatment – including one that had Joao Gomes sent off – but carried on playing and was resolute.
DECLAN RICE – 7
More of a goal threat than in recent weeks and stood up when Arsenal needed him.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Steady Eddie for most parts back in his favoured midfield position after spells at right-back this season. Displayed his importance to this side once more.
ETHAN NWANERI – 6
Unfortunately made way at half-time as a sacrificial lamb following Lewis-Skelly’s sending off. Was a lively, creative spark in the first-half.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5
In the absence of Bukayo Saka, the Belgian is on corner-taking duty, but his deliveries were woeful. A quiet afternoon that sums up why he is in and out of the team currently.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Was lacking that clinical edge in the first half, but came up with the cross after the break that led to Arsenal’s vital opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Missed two glorious first half chances with his head and another in the second half, but worked tirelessly on his own – especially with Arsenal down to ten.
SUBS:
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (NWANERI, 45) – 8
The sort of goal that keeps title dreams alive. Added real height and danger aerially, as well as a sweet volley from a tough angle.
KIERAN TIERNEY (MARTINELLI, 87) – N/A
