Brighton complete club-record £46m signing of Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham

Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record fee of £46m, with potential add-ons capable of raising the total to £50m. The 19-year-old has committed to a five-year contract with the option of a further year, following two previously rejected bids from the club last month.

The acquisition marks a significant shift in Brighton’s defensive structure, replacing Netherlands international Jan Paul van Hecke, who departed for Tottenham for £52m. The reciprocal nature of the transfers underscores a strategic realignment within the Premier League’s transfer market, as Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler seeks to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Vuskovic’s development path has been closely monitored by Brighton, having joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split in 2025 after agreeing to the move two years prior. He was subsequently loaned to Hamburg, where he made 30 appearances in the Bundesliga last season, scoring six goals. His performances earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award and a place in the league’s Team of the Year.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler emphasised the need for patience in integrating the young defender into the first team. "There's been a lot of external noise about Luka joining us, but he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust to the demands of playing for Brighton and the Premier League," Hurzeler said. "We are confident that he will take this in his stride though."

The teenager has already demonstrated his capability on the international stage, earning six senior caps for Croatia and scoring one goal. He started for his country against England in the group stages of the World Cup last month. Brighton are scheduled to begin their new Premier League campaign against Aston Villa at home on Sunday, 23 August at 14:00 BST.