Brighton & Hove Albion has signed Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee of £46 million. The deal includes a five-year contract with an option for an additional year.
Vuskovic, who has six senior international caps for Croatia, is expected to bolster Brighton's defense for the upcoming Premier League season. He made his World Cup debut last month against England. The 21-year-old defender came through the youth academy at Hajduk Split, becoming the youngest player to feature in Croatia's top flight at 16 and subsequently becoming his club's youngest goalscorer.
Last season, Vuskovic was named Rookie of the Season in the Bundesliga and earned a spot in the league's Team of the Year. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged Vuskovic's adjustment period, stating, "he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust to the demands of playing for Brighton and the Premier League." Hurzeler expressed confidence in the player's ability to adapt.
Vuskovic's arrival at Brighton sees Jan Paul van Hecke move in the opposite direction, with the Netherlands centre-back joining Tottenham on a long-term contract for £52 million.
Brighton will begin their new Premier League campaign at home against Aston Villa on Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 PM BST.