Celta sign Silvinho

Silvinho: Lost his Gunners' spot to Ashley Cole

Arsenal defender Silvinho has moved to Celta Vigo for a fee of around £5m.

The Brazilian had been negotiating a move back to his former club Corinthians after the Gunners agreed a fee with them over the summer.

But agreement could not be reached over personal terms and the left-back has now moved to Spain instead.

Celta Vigo completed the deal just in time to beat the deadline to register him for their Uefa Cup campaign.

While Arsenal registered Silvinho on the basis of his Portuguese passport, Celta Vigo have since classified him as a Brazilian.

An Arsenal spokesman said: "Arsenal have acted appropriately at all times with regard to this matter and liaised closely with the Home Office over Silvinho's registration in this country."

Silvinho lost his first-team place at Arsenal to England international Ashley Cole in the middle of last season.