Sao Paulo - Brazil defensive midfielder Paulinho is joining Tottenham from Brazilian club Corinthians
Official details on the transfer were not disclosed, but local media said Tuesday that Tottenham is paying €20 million to sign Paulinho on a four-year contract. That was the amount in the buyout clause established by Corinthians when it extended the player's contract until 2015.
Half of the €20 million goes to Corinthians and the rest goes to Sao Paulo club Audax, which is where the player started.
The 24-year-old Paulinho was voted the third-best player at the Confederations Cup, behind Brazil teammate Neymar and Andres Iniesta of Spain.
In addition to begin a solid defender, Paulinho is also known for his efficiency when attacking. He scored two goals in the World Cup warm-up tournament, including the winner in Brazil's 2-1 victory over Uruguay in the semifinals.
He had also scored key goals for Corinthians since joining the Brazilian giant from Bragantino three years ago.
Paulinho helped Corinthians win the Brazilian league in 2011, the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup in 2012 and the traditional Sao Paulo state championship earlier this year. He scored 34 goals in 167 matches with Corinthians, Brazil's second most popular club behind Flamengo.
There had been reports that Paulinho had signed with the English club before the Confederations Cup started, but the player said that the deal was not closed until after he returned to Sao Paulo following Brazil's 3-0 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup final at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
"I had three wonderful years with Corinthians, I have to thank the club for everything that it did for my career," he said. "It gets to a point where you need new challenges."
Paulinho said that Inter Milan was the other club that had made an offer to try so sign him.
"I analyzed all the options and I know that I made the right decision," he said, without disclosing what Inter Milan offered. "I'm going to a great club."/sport24.co.za
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