Spurs defender Emerson Royal joins AC Milan in £15m deal on four-year contract following difficult spell in the Premier League

AC Milan have completed the £15m signing of Tottenham defender Emerson Royal, with the centre-back signing a four-year contract with the Italian giant.

The deal will also include an option of a further 12 months as Royal departs the Premier League following a mixed time in England’s top-flight.

Emerson scored four goals in 101 appearances for Spurs after joining from Barcelona in 2021 for a reported fee of £25.8million.

‘We have reached agreement with AC Milan for the transfer of Emerson Royal,’ read a statement on the Premier League club’s website.

‘We wish Emerson all the best for the future.’

Emerson scored four goals in 101 appearances for Spurs after joining from Barcelona in 2021

High expectations arrived on Royal’s back when he joined from Barcelona three-years ago but has struggled to find consistent form under different managers.

The Brazil international was at times booed by Tottenham supporters during his spell at the club, while Micky van de Ven’s arrival last year dropped him further down the defensive pecking order.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has established a starting centre-back partnership of Cristian Romero and Van de Ven that would has also restricted Royal’s Premier League playing time. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Caleb Wiley will spend next season on loan at French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

The Blues signed the 19-year-old left-back from Atlanta United last month and following his stint at the Olympic Games with the USA, he will join up with the club that is now being coached by Liam Rosenior.

Royal has signed a four-year contract at AC Milan that includes the option for a further year

The Brazil international was at times booed by Tottenham supporters during his spell at the club

‘We look forward to supporting his development throughout the season,’ a Chelsea statement said.

Wiley, who was born and raised in Atlanta, signed a six-year contract with Chelsea after joining for a fee in the region of £8.5million.

Ben Knight has left Manchester City to join Spanish side Real Murcia on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who has previously had loan spells at Crewe and Stockport, made his only competitive City appearance in the 2021 Community Shield.