Spurs Defender Emerson to Undergo Knee Surgery

Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - March 8, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal talks to Cristian Romero. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - March 8, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal talks to Cristian Romero. (Reuters)
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Spurs Defender Emerson to Undergo Knee Surgery

Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - March 8, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal talks to Cristian Romero. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - March 8, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal talks to Cristian Romero. (Reuters)

Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal will undergo surgery on a knee injury he sustained on international duty with Brazil, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Emerson, 24, picked up the injury in stoppage time during Brazil's 2-1 defeat by Morocco in a friendly on Saturday.

"We can confirm that Emerson Royal suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee while on international duty with Brazil last week," Tottenham said. "The defender will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff."

Tottenham, seeking a new coach to replace Antonio Conte, face Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United in April as they fight for a top-four finish.

They are fourth on 49 points, two points above fifth-placed Newcastle who have two games in hand.



Soccer-Atletico Sign Midfielder Baena from Villarreal

Alex Baena (Reuters)
Alex Baena (Reuters)
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Soccer-Atletico Sign Midfielder Baena from Villarreal

Alex Baena (Reuters)
Alex Baena (Reuters)

Atletico Madrid have signed Spanish midfielder Alex Baena from Villarreal, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday, with the 23-year-old signing a five-year contract in a deal reportedly worth 50 million euros ($58.92 million) according to Spanish media.

Baena came up through the ranks at Villarreal from the youth academy, making his senior debut in 2020 and, after a season on loan at Girona where he helped them to earn promotion, he has been a regular in the Villarreal side for the last three seasons., Reuters said.

"Really happy, it's a big step in my career. I'm joining one of the biggest clubs in Spain and in Europe," Baena said.

The playmaker has represented Spain at all underage levels and made his first appearance for the senior national side in 2023, scoring on his debut. Baena was a member of the Euro 2024 winning squad, making two substitute appearances.

Baena, who plays primarily as a left winger, was also a part of Spain's gold-medal winning side at the Paris Olympics last year, where he scored in the final against France. He was named on the LaLiga Team of the Season for the most recent campaign.