Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Croatia defender Luka Vušković from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract.
The 19-year-old has signed terms until 2031, with Brighton holding the option to extend his deal for another season.
Vušković joins following an agreement reportedly worth up to £50m. Tottenham are also understood to have retained a 20 per cent sell-on clause as part of the transfer.
The move brings an end to a lengthy pursuit after Brighton identified the centre-back as a leading target for Fabian Hürzeler’s defensive rebuild.
ReadBrighton previously reported that Vušković had been cleared to undergo his Brighton medical following Croatia’s World Cup exit.
Hürzeler outlines Brighton’s plan for Vušković
Hürzeler believes Vušković has the quality to become an important Premier League defender but has urged patience during his first season.
The Brighton head coach praised the defender’s rapid development and performances during his loan spell with Hamburg.
Vušković won four Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards last season before being named the competition’s overall Rookie of the Season. He was also selected in the Bundesliga Team of the Year.
His influence extends beyond his defensive work. Vušković has scored 16 goals across 78 senior club appearances and has already found the net once in six games for Croatia.
The defender began his career with Hajduk Split and made his senior league debut two days after turning 16. He later spent loan spells with Radomiak Radom, Westerlo and Hamburg.
Reports covering the agreement state that Brighton will pay an initial fee of around £46m, with further bonuses potentially taking the transfer beyond £50m.
Vušković also gained valuable international experience this summer, starting Croatia’s World Cup group match against England.
Brighton have invested heavily in a defender who has yet to play in the Premier League. His age, physical profile and proven scoring threat provide Hürzeler with a player who could develop into a central figure at the Amex.
The immediate challenge will be helping him adjust to English football without placing excessive pressure on one of Europe’s most highly rated young centre-backs.
