Tottenham Hotspur Player Held Up By Armed Robber

Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal was left 'shaken up' after being robbed in a nightclub in Brazil by a thief holding a gun.

Brazilian outlets have reported on the incident that saw Royal being approached as he left a nightclub in Americana, his hometown, whilst back in the country for the summer.

According to Globo Esporte, via Sport Witness, the player was being followed by an undercover police officer when the incident occurred.

The officer had asked for a photo with Royal and then witnessed the robber approaching the player, before being noticed by the thief.

The report says that the thief then noticed the policeman and then opened fire on him, with the officer then returning fire as at least 20 shots were fired during the exchange, though Royal was unharmed.

"After leaving an event, the security guard who recognised him, asked to take pictures with him and offered to take him to the car," Emerson Zulu, the player's father, told Record.

"It was there that Royal was assaulted, at gunpoint, in which the thief asked him for his watch and other personal objects.

"When the thief saw the security, we only remember the exchange of fire and we hid.

"It seems that Royal pulled me to help me. I don't remember well, it all happened very fast and the adrenaline was running."

The player is reported to have been physically fine following the incident, although was understandably 'shaken up,' having just arrived back in South America.

In a statement on his social media, the player said, "I will speak shortly about the event... thank you for everyone's concern thank god I'm fine."

The former Barcelona full back went to the police station to give an official statement after the attempted robbery, after his chain and watch were initially taken.

His attacker was taken to hospital after at least one of the gunshots reportedly hit him in the back.

Royal joined Spurs last summer for around £26 million, having only just returned to Barcelona to be part of their first team plans.

He had remained on loan at Real Betis for the previous three years but started the first three games of the La Liga campaign, before moving to north London.

The 23-year-old is not currently in Brazil's squad for their upcoming friendlies, despite some good form for Antonio Conte's team.