Arsenal sign defender Tavares from Benfica

[Photo: Reuters]

Arsenal have signed Portugal Under-21 defender Nuno Tavares from Benfica on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Saturday.

Tavares, 21, has made 25 league appearances for Benfica since coming through the club's youth academy and making his senior debut in the Portuguese Super Cup win over Sporting Lisbon in August 2019.

"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," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said in a statement.