Gremio confirms loan deal for Arsenal defender Santos

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 12 (IANS) Brazilian club Gremio has confirmed the signing of Arsenal defender Andre Santos on a one-year loan deal.

Santos trained with the Porto Alegre outfit Monday and is expected to play in the side’s 2013 Copa Liberatdores opener against Chile’s Huachipato at Arena do Gremio Thursday, reports Xinhua.

The left-back has made just 23 first-team appearances for the Gunners since his 2011 move from Turkey’s Fenerbahce.

Gremio officials also confirmed Argentine striker Hernan Barcos has been registered with Brazil’s football confederation (CBF) for Copa Libertadores team squads.

The 28-year-old joined Gremio last week after his former club Palmeiras accepted a $3 million transfer fee and five players on loan.

Barcos is hopeful the move will improve his chances regaining his place in Argentina’s national team ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup.

“I want to play as well as I can at my new club to have another chance of representing my country,” Barcos said.

IANS 2013-02-12 13:58:07