Cedric Soares has completed his move to Inter Milan.

The 27-year-old has joined on loan for the rest of the season with Saints having received encouragement that the Italian giants will make it permanent in the summer.

Saints are set to net a loan fee of about €500,000 for Cedric, who has just 18 months left to run on his contract.

Inter’s option in the summer is understood to be around £9m.

Cedric has been a peripheral figure under Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has preferred 19-year-old Yan Valery at right back or right wing back.

Cedric signed for Saints in 2015 from Sporting Lisbon for around £5m and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, scoring two goals.

However, Hasenhuttl has showed an instant preference for other players with Valery and fellow youngster Kayne Ramsay in and around the first team with Cedric often restricted to having to fill in on the left when both Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett have been missing.