Napoli sign Scotland midfielders Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay

Italian giants Napoli have signed Scotland internationals Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour ahead of the transfer deadline.

The separate deals mean the international teammates will now compete together in Antonio Conte’s side in Serie A.

McTominay was the first of the midfielders to complete his move, and was met by enthusiastic Napoli fans when he arrived for his medical and formal signing.

The 27-year-old had come through the ranks at Manchester United, playing for the youth sides from an early age and rising to become a first team player at Old Trafford.

McTominay played 255 times for United but was constantly linked with a move away from the club in recent years.

Manager Erik Ten Haag spoke about the midfielder’s exit, saying he had mixed emotions because he would have been happy to keep hold of the player but that financial fair play rules meant there was a huge advantage to selling him.

“It’s a little bit mixed, I’m very happy for him,” Ten Hag said.

“It’s also (a good deal) for us, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him because he’s Manchester United in everything.

“He was so important for our team, for Manchester United, but unfortunately it’s the rules.

“We have to discuss the rules, when you have to sell and obviously homegrown and academy players bring more value, that’s not the right thing to do.

“But I think for everyone, for all parts it’s a good deal, for Scott he’s happy with it, for Napoli a very good player, but also for us.”

Gilmour has been linked with Napoli repeatedly during the summer but the injury to Matt O’Riley, just days after he joined from Celtic, looked to have changed Brighton’s mind about selling the midfielder.

The English side had a change of heart on Friday when a deal was thrashed out and Gilmour underwent a medical in London before signing with Napoli.

A brief club statement read: “SSC Napoli announces that it has permanently acquired the sporting services of Billy Gilmour from Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club”.

Gilmour, who has 33 Scotland caps, will now look to cement a regular starting place after often finding himself out of the team at Brighton.