Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of highly-rated Croatia international Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur in a club-record £46 million deal, with the fee potentially rising to £50 million through performance-related add-ons.
The 19-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract with the Seagulls, which includes the option of a further year, as Brighton continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The move comes after Brighton saw two bids for the teenage centre-back rejected last month before reaching an agreement with Tottenham.
Vuskovic joined Spurs in 2025 from Croatian side Hajduk Split after agreeing a transfer two years earlier but spent last season on loan at German club Hamburg, where he impressed with 30 Bundesliga appearances and six goals.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the Croatian youngster as one of Europe’s brightest defensive prospects, saying the club had monitored his development closely.
“Last season he demonstrated he can play at a very high level and we want to help him build on that within our environment,” Hurzeler said.
He, however, urged patience, noting that the teenager would need time to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.
“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. We are confident that he will take this in his stride,” he added.
Vuskovic arrives as a replacement for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who has moved to Tottenham in a separate £52 million transfer.
A product of Hajduk Split’s academy, Vuskovic made history as the youngest player to feature in Croatia’s top flight at the age of 16 before becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
His outstanding performances in Germany earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award and a place in the league’s Team of the Year.
The defender has also established himself in the Croatian national team, making six senior appearances and scoring once. He made his FIFA World Cup debut against England during last month’s tournament.
Brighton will begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at home against Aston Villa on Sunday, August 23, with expectations high that Vuskovic will play a key role in the club’s ambitions for the new season.
