It was a big decision to join a big club, says Paulinho ahead of expected £17m Spurs switch

 
Getty
2 July 2013

Tottenham have agreed a £17million deal to sign midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, according to the Brazilian club.

The Brazil international held a press conference yesterday, one day after lifting the Confederations Cup with his country, to confirm he is leaving the Sao Paulo club.

The club also said in a statement on their website that Spurs were set to pay 20 millions euros (£17m) to release the player from his current deal.

"The other interest we got was from Inter Milan but the only offer came from Tottenham," Paulinho said. "The proposal came, we sat down, analysed it and decided.

"It was a big decision to go to a big club. There comes a certain point when you need new challenges.

The 24-year-old, who was voted third-best player at the Confederations Cup, added: "It's hard to say anything at a moment like this, but I am sure those were three wonderful years in my career, with many titles and working with the right people, who always helped me," Paulinho, 24, said.

"What I have to say to Corinthians is 'see you soon'. Pretty soon I'll be back, owing to everything you have done for me."

The statement from Corinthians thanked Paulinho for his contribution to the team, with the midfielder helping them win the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2011 and both the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup last year.

He scored 34 goals in 167 appearances for the club and was also instrumental in Brazil's 3-0 victory over Spain yesterday in the final of the Confederations Cup.

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