MIDDLESBROUGH'S manager, Bryan Robson, took the number of Samba superstars performing down by the Riverside to three yesterday when he signed Emerson Moises Costa. The 24-year-old Emerson has taken the road to England in a bid to establish himself in the Brazilian national side. Teesside has become a little corner of South America with the midfielder joining fellow countrymen Juninho and Branco.

Emerson joined up on a three-year contract after a £4 million deal was agreed with Portuguese champions FC Porto.

Emerson, who does not need a work permit as he holds a Portuguese passport, feels that linking up with Juninho will further his chances of winning his first cap for Brazil.

Speaking through an interpreter and decked out in a Middlesbrough strip, he said: "I have joined this club to win things. Juninho is a great player and I hope to be successful in the Premier League and play for Brazil."

A crowd of about 200 gathered in the sunshine to greet their latest Brazilian import.

Porto manager Bobby Robson was reluctant to lose Emerson, but gave an excellent reference about namesake Bryan, his skipper when he was England manager.

"Bobby Robson told me Bryan Robson was a great player and a good manager," said Emerson. "He has had a lot of success in English football."

Emerson played his last game for Porto on Sunday after helping them win the league for the second successive year.

Bryan Robson said: "I have seen Emerson play a few times and he is top class. He is a strong, intelligent player who can dictate the pace of the game. He is a g9od passer and can score goals, so he will be an exciting player for us."

One respected observer of Portuguese football described Emerson as being "the lungs of Porto."

Robson has broken down barriers in England by signing first Juninho, Branco and now Emerson.

Middlesbrough flirted with relegation at one stage this season, but Robson was obviously undaunted by the experience and believes his Brazilian blend will prove to be a potent cocktail next season.

Robson said: "We established ourselves in the Premier League last season. Now we have to go on and improve on 12th position.

"I have been looking through Europe for top-class players. Emerson was the player in Portuguese football that everyone wanted."

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith, Lamb said: "Emerson gave up the chance to play in the Champions' League again next season to sign for us. That is indicative of our ambition and our ability to attract top stars.

"We promised our fans that if they bought season tickets early, then they would be giving us the spending power to compete for quality players. Emerson is just the first of our targets."

Emerson began his career in Brazil with Flamengo and Curitiba before joining Belenenses of Lisbon in 1992. He joined Porto two years later.