Soccer

Fiorentina announce signing of Lucas Torreira from Arsenal

Southampton sign Torino centre-back Lyanco, Aaron Lennon returns to Burnley

Uruguay international Lucas Torreira decided on a return to Italy, having joined Arsenal from Sampdoria in 2018. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images

Wed Aug 25 2021 - 19:02

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has joined Italian outfit Fiorentina on loan, the Serie A club announced on Wednesday.

Torreira, who joined Arsenal from Sampdoria in 2018, had an impressive debut season in north London where he played 50 times in all competitions, but the 25-year-old has since found limited playing time at the Premier League club.

He spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid where he made 19 appearances in their LaLiga title-winning campaign.

Fiorentina said they signed the Uruguay international with an option to buy him for a fee reported by British and Italian media to be about €15 million.

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The club lost their opening Serie A game at AS Roma over the weekend and host Torino on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Southampton have completed the signing of Torino centre-back Lyanco on a four-year deal.

Having sold towering Denmark international Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester earlier in the month, Saints bolstered their backline by moving for the 24-year-old defender.

Lyanco has represented Brazil up to Under-23 level and joins Southampton from the Serie A side on a deal until 2025.

“I’m very happy to be here,” the centre-back, who also holds Serbian nationality, said

“It’s a dream that I have had since I started playing football as a child to play in the Premier League and for a team like a Southampton. It’s a dream not only for me but for all my family too.

“I grew up in Brazil and the football is different there, then when I went to Italy I learned that you have to be focused more on tactics.

“My dream was to play in the Premier League and play strong football, and for me English football is perfect.”

Lyanco's arrival is the latest move in what has been a busy summer for Southampton, who cashed in on Danny Ings and Vestergaard as the pair entered the final year of their respective deals.

Experienced Ryan Bertrand left at the end of his deal, with Saints responding by signing full-backs Romain Perraud, Tino Livramento and Thierry Small.

Theo Walcott, Adam Armstrong and Dynel Simeu made permanent moves to St Mary's, with Chelsea's Armando Broja joining on a season-long loan.

Aaron Lennon has re-joined Burnley after a spell training with his former club.

The 34-year-old winger was a free agent after departing Turkish side Kayserispor.

Former England international Lennon joined Burnley from Everton in 2018 and played 41 Premier League matches, scoring once, before leaving two years later.

The Clarets said on Twitter: “We are delighted to confirm that winger Aaron Lennon has agreed a deal to return to Turf Moor as a Burnley player.”

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