Barcelona have signed Brazilian international midfielder Paulinho from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for 40 million euros ($47 million), the Catalan giants confirmed on Monday.

Paulinho becomes Barca's first signing since they banked a world record 222 million euros from Neymar's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"Barcelona and Guangzhou Evergrande have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Paulinho Bezerra for 40 million euros," Barca said in a statement.