Emerson Royal thanks police officer after being caught up in armed robbery in Brazil

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal has thanked an off-duty police officer for saving him after being caught up in an attempted armed robbery outside a nightclub in Brazil.

Emerson was reportedly targeted by an armed assailant, who allegedly attempted to steal the player's gold chain and watch when leaving a Sao Paulo club early on Friday morning.

Reports in Brazil said an off-duty police officer, who had earlier been pictured with the former Barcelona man, engaged in a shoot-out with the assailant while Emerson was able to flee.

After speaking to local police, the player was quoted by Globo Esporte as saying: "It was a complicated moment, but now I'm going to rest."

The player's father, who was also present, was quoted by the same publication as stating: "I was celebrating and on the way out, [then] this whole affair happened, which was very bad. A horror scene indeed. I don't wish that on anyone."

Later, Emerson thanked the officer in a story posted on his Instagram account, writing: "God sends angels to earth, this is confirmed every day in my life. This human being, I call him an angel, risked his own life to save mine.

"I will be forever grateful to you, you were fundamental for me to be here today. Thank you, thank you, thank you."