Arsenal defender Cedric Soares has been called up to the Portugal national team for the first time since November 2018.
The 29-year-old has been rewarded for his fine form under Mikel Arteta this season, where his consistent performances have seen him make nine Premier League appearances so far.
Former Southampton defender Cedric will be in the squad for Portugal's World Cup qualification matches against Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg.
Portugal's national team squad boasts the likes of Leicester's Ricardo Pereira and Wolves defender Nelson Semedo who both play in the same position, although Pereira has only recently come back from a long-term injury.
Cedric Soares called up to the Portugal squad for the first time since November 2018.
He's in ahead of Leicester's Ricardo Pereira and Nelson Semedo of Wolves.
Congrats @OficialCedric! https://t.co/9YAq4yhRwT— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 16, 2021
Cedric has started in eight of Arsenal's last 10 Premier League matches and become a mainstay at right-back in the Europa League.
“When he joined us he had various injuries and some difficult times,” Arteta said in January.
“It took him a little bit of time to adapt and get completely free and now earn the chances to play.
“The best thing with Cedric is the way he takes his profession, the way he trains, the way he prepares himself.
"So every time that we had to use him, he was always ready and always fit to compete."
Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin has been linked with a move away this summer, as Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona continue to be named as potential suitors for the 25-year-old.
It could mean that Cedric will go into next season as Arsenal's first choice right-back if his impressive performances continue.
