Vuskovic Impresses on Brighton Debut in Roma Win

Vuskovic marked his first appearance at the Amex with an assured display as Brighton beat Roma 3-0 in Saturday’s pre-season friendly. The club-record signing started at the back and played the opening 45 minutes as the Seagulls warmed up for the new campaign in front of their own supporters.

The Croatian arrived from Tottenham this summer when Brighton smashed their transfer record to land the young centre-back, and he wasted little time settling in. A crunching sliding challenge in front of the North Stand early on gave supporters an instant sense of what he is about, and he was one of several defenders rotated as Fabian Hürzeler shared out minutes.

A statement tackle from Vuskovic

Vuskovic made way for club captain Lewis Dunk at half-time having done his job in a back line that kept Roma at arm’s length. Georginio Rutter opened the scoring with a superb curling finish before Yasin Ayari struck twice, while Ibrahim Osman caught the eye after replacing the injured Yankuba Minteh. It was, as The Argus reported, an afternoon of encouraging signs against Serie A opposition.

Attention now turns to a friendly against Bologna before the Seagulls’ Premier League and Conference League commitments get under way. On this evidence, Vuskovic looks ready to stake an early claim.