Lazio announce signings of Wesley Hoedt, Mauricio dos Santos Nascimento

Lazio have strengthened their defence with the double signing of Wesley Hoedt and Mauricio dos Santos Nascimento.

Brazilian centre-back Mauricio arrives on a six-month loan deal from Sporting Lisbon and Lazio have the option to buy the 26-year-old for €2.65m (£2m) in the summer.

Hoedt, who was in Rome on Tuesday to undergo a medical, will join the Italian side on a free transfer from AZ when his contact expires at the end of the season.

"From July I will be a Lazio player. I hope I can do well and help my teammates," Hoedt told Lazio Style Radio.

"I can't wait to start playing for Lazio. July can't come soon enough. In the meantime, I will watch all of Lazio's games hoping that the team can qualify for the Champions League."

Lazio have conceded 22 goals in 19 Serie A games this season and currently sit fifth in the table.