Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of highly rated Croatian defender Luka Vušković from Tottenham Hotspur in a club-record transfer worth £46 million, with performance-related add-ons capable of increasing the overall package to £50 million.
The 19-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with Brighton also holding the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. The move comes after Brighton saw two previous bids rejected before finally reaching an agreement with Tottenham.
Vušković officially joined Spurs in 2025 after the north London club agreed a deal with Hajduk Split two years earlier. However, he never made a senior competitive appearance for Tottenham, spending last season on loan at Hamburg, where he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign.
The Croatian centre-back made 30 appearances in all competitions for the German club, scoring six Bundesliga goals from defence. His performances earned him the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Season award and a place in the league’s Team of the Year, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young defenders.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler said the club had monitored Vušković’s development closely and believes the teenager is ready to continue his progression in the Premier League.
Hürzeler praised the defender’s performances over the past year but stressed that, despite the excitement surrounding the transfer, the youngster will need time to adapt to the demands of English football. He added that Brighton are confident Vušković has the mentality to make that transition successfully.
Vušković arrives as Brighton’s replacement for Jan Paul van Hecke, who has moved in the opposite direction to Tottenham in a £52 million deal. The transfer is another significant piece of business between the two Premier League clubs this summer.
Born in Split, Vušković progressed through the academy at Hajduk Split, becoming the youngest player to feature in Croatia’s top flight at just 16 years old before also becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer. He has since established himself as a Croatia international, earning six senior caps and making his FIFA World Cup debut against England during this summer’s tournament.
Brighton believe the teenager can become a cornerstone of their defence as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign, which begins with a home fixture against Aston Villa on 23 August.
