Arsenal Football Club has announced the loan departures of two first team players of African descent for the 2024-2025 season, according to All Nigeria Soccer. Nuno Tavares, a Cape Verde-eligible defender, has joined Italian Serie A side Lazio on loan with an obligation to buy, while Sambi Lokonga, a Belgian international of Congolese descent, has joined Spanish La Liga side Sevilla on an initial loan with an option to buy.
Tavares, who joined Arsenal in July 2021, has recorded 28 appearances for the club and has previously been loaned to Marseille and Nottingham Forest in search of regular playing time. The 23-year-old defender will now join Lazio, where he will link up with Manchester City academy graduate Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Lokonga, 23, has played in 39 games for Arsenal since joining from Anderlecht in 2021. The midfielder has represented Belgium at various youth levels and made his senior debut in 2021. He has also had loan spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town and will now join Sevilla, where he will team up with Nigeria international winger Chidera Ejuke.
The loan deals indicate Arsenal's willingness to develop players and potentially sell them for a profit. The moves also highlight the connections between European clubs and the opportunities available to African descent players in European football.
Both Tavares and Lokonga will be looking to make an impact at their new clubs and secure regular playing time to further their careers.