Fabian Hürzeler and Brighton have found what they were looking for in London as they seek further reinforcements: Former Hamburg player Luka Vuskovic is joining the Seagulls for a record fee.
Luka Vuskovic is moving from Tottenham Hotspur to Brighton & Hove Albion within the Premier League for approximately 54 million euros. The 19-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Seagulls, thereby surpassing Georginio Rutter—who joined from Leeds in the summer of 2024 for approximately 47 million euros—as the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.
“Luka has had a fantastic start to his career—one we’ve been following closely,” his new coach, Fabian Hürzeler, is quoted as saying in the club’s press release. “Last season, he showed that he can play at a very high level, and we want to help him build on that within our environment.” Nevertheless, Hürzeler also tempered expectations for the Croatian. “He’s still a young player who will need time to adjust to the demands at Brighton and in the Premier League. However, we’re confident that he’ll master this with flying colors.”
Made an impression at HSV and significantly increased his market value
Vuskovic made a strong impression at Hamburger SV. The young Croatian joined the Bundesliga promoted team on loan from Tottenham Hotspur this summer and quickly became a key player. Time and again, he delivered impressive performances and demonstrated just what an exceptional young professional he is.
But it became clear quite early on that his future would not lie in Hamburg. “I’m very happy that I was able to help this team. And I’m very happy that I was allowed to be part of this club,” the Croatian World Cup player had said after the last Bundesliga home game against Freiburg (3–2), adding: “It was 99.9 percent my farewell party.”
Vuskovic, too, must have realized that his market value far exceeds what HSV can afford. His return to England was inevitable, though he won’t be starting the new season with the Spurs. Instead, the 19-year-old is moving to Brighton. Tottenham had initially rejected an initial offer from the Seagulls worth the equivalent of about 35 million euros, but relented when the sum exceeded 50 million euros and gave the green light for the sale.
Vuskovic had already reached a verbal agreement with Brighton and thus committed to the move early on. Reports from Croatia indicate that the young center back deliberately chose not to join a top club because he believed he could develop better at a supposedly “smaller” club. This is consistent with his previous clubs, where he steadily improved—first in Poland with Radomiak Radom, then in Belgium with KVC Westerlo, and most recently with Hamburger SV.
