Gremio confirm loan deal for Arsenal defender Andre Santos

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian club Gremio have confirmed the signing of Arsenal defender Andre Santos on a one-year loan deal. Santos trained with the Porto Alegre outfit on 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.

Before this loan deal with the Brazilian club, the left-back had made just 23 first-team appearances for the Gunners.

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.

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