July 8 (Reuters) – Ipswich Town have signed Brazilian striker Emersonn Correia da Silva from Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a five-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old becomes the first signing under new manager Gary O’Neil, joining for a record transfer fee of 26.6 million pounds ($35.54 million), according to British media reports.
“I am very proud to sign for Ipswich Town,” Emersonn said in a club statement.
“Playing in the Premier League is something I have always dreamed of and I know I have picked the perfect club to do that with.
“I will give everything for the team every time I play and I can’t wait to get started and meet my new teammates as well as the supporters.”
Emersonn scored seven goals in 31 appearances during his only season at Toulouse after joining the French club last September.
Before moving to France, the forward made 13 appearances for Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense and spent a spell with Turkish side Goztepe.
Ipswich will open their Premier League campaign against Sunderland on August 22, returning to the top flight for the first time since 2001 after finishing second in last season’s Championship.
($1 = 0.7484 pounds)
(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)
