Arsenal sign Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares to back-up Kieran Tierney

Arsenal have signed Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares on a long-term deal, the north London club announced on Saturday.

July 10, 2021 • 10:11 AM

Arsenal signed Nuno Tavares from Benfica Saturday to be a back-up to Kieran Tierney. Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty ImagesArsenal have signed Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares on a long-term deal, the north London club announced on Saturday.

ESPN reported last month that Arsenal were in talks to sign Tavares. The club said the 21-year-old defender will be viewed as a back-up option to left-back Kieran Tierney, who signed a new long-term contract with the club last month.

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Tavares has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Benfica since making his professional debut in 2019, including a substitute outing against Arsenal in the Europa League round-of-32 in February.

"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 U-21's," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in a statement.

Welcome to The Arsenal, Nuno Tavares