Brazil's Paulinho completes Tottenham transfer

Tottenham Hotspur FC have signed Brazilian international midfielder Paulinho from SC Corinthians Paulista for a fee in the region of €19m.

Paulinho, fresh from helping Brazil win the FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil, has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Tottenham.

The 24-year-old, who also lifted the FIFA Club World Cup with Copa Libertadores holders Corinthians last December, said of his move to north London: "They [Tottenham] made an offer to my agent and to Corinthians – I sat down, analysed the proposal and chose Tottenham. We think it was the best path, the best option. I am moving from one big club to Tottenham, another club in a big league. I am sure I will perform my job to the best of my ability. I don't regret and won't regret [this decision]."

Paulinho has scored five goals in 17 appearances for Brazil, his most recent cap coming in last Sunday's final triumph over Spain in the Confederations Cup. The central midfielder has played in Europe before, making 38 league outings for Lithuanian side FC Vilnius before a short spell in Poland with ŁKS Łódź. Paulinho returned to Brazil with CA Bragantino and then joined Corinthians in 2010. He featured 86 times in the league for the Sao Paulo-based team, netting 20 goals.

Tottenham finished fifth in the Premier League and will enter the UEFA Europa League in the play-offs, the draw for which takes place on 8 August in Nyon.