Emerson Royal – Tottenham Hotspur

Emerson Royal, who stands at 6ft 0in is a Brazil international who plays as a right-back for Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur. He joined the club on deadline day in August 2021. He is a physical player who is able to defend and contribute going forward.

He began his career in his native Brazil at Ponte Preta in 2014, where he made his first senior appearance in February 2017 off the bench in a 2-2 draw against Linense. His first start came in a win over Sao Bernardo in the weeks that followed.

The right back left the club in April 2018 to join top flight club Atletico Mineiro for whom he made his first start in a 1-0 win against rivals Cruzeiro in May 2018.

In his single season at the club (2018/19), he made 23 appearances in all competitions, providing a goal and an assist before going on to help the club to finish 9^th with 54 points after 38 matches.

Emerson signed for Spanish top flight side Real Betis on loan for the final few months of the 2018/19 season in January 2019. He had signed for Barcelona, but was immediately sold permanently in July 2019, joining Betis on a permanent deal.

Real Betis finished in 15^th with 41 points after 38 games in his first full season at the club (2019/20), which saw him provide 6 assists for his teammates whilst also scoring 3 goals. Following the conclusion of the season, he made his first ever senior appearance against South Korea, coming off the bench in a 3-0 win.

His second and final season at the club (2020/21) saw Los Verdiblancos finish in a much improved 6^th place with 61 points after 38 matches with European football secured. He scored twice that season, providing 4 assists for his teammates.

Emerson Royal did join FC Barcelona on a permanent basis in June 2021, only playing 3 matches before signing with Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday 31^st August 2021 for a reported fee of £25.8m.

His debut for the club came in a defeat at Selhurst Park in the Premier League against Crystal Palace. He made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Lilywhites that season, providing a goal and an assist leading to the club finishing 4^th with 71 points.

He has made 18 appearances so far in the 2022/23 season, being part of the team to reach the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

Sources: TransferMarkt, UEFA Champions League & Wikipedia.