Tottenham Hotspur have made an investment in the future by signing Luka Vuskovic. However, the 16-year-old is not expected to join London for another two years
Luka Vuskovic is the younger brother of HSV professional Mario, who is currently taking legal action against a ban for an alleged doping offence, and is regarded as one of the greatest centre-back talents in Europe. The right-footer has played for Hajduk Split since his youth and has already had a promising career – among other things, he is both the youngest Croatian and the youngest Croatian goal scorer in the UEFA Youth League.
On his 16th birthday, he signed a professional contract and just two days later he made his debut for Split in the Croatian first division – against, of all teams, serial champions Dinamo Zagreb. Since then he has played eleven times and scored one goal for the “champions of the sea”. So far this season, he has not played for Hajduk. So far, he has played for his country at U15, U16 and U17 level.
Not surprisingly, the young Vuskovic attracted the attention of numerous top clubs – he was linked with Paris St. Germain, FC Arsenal and Manchester City. But Tottenham have now won the bid: The Londoners confirmed an agreement with Hajduk Split, but did not name a transfer fee.
Football is in Vuskovic’s blood
English and Croatian media, however, report around 14 million euros. That would mean that Vuskovic became one of the most expensive U-18 transfers in the world. It also makes him the most expensive sale in Hajduk Split’s history, surpassing the eleven million euros that Everton FC plunked down for Nikola Vlasic in 2017.
The 1.93-metre-tall central defender, however, will not make his way to Spurs until he turns 18, although it is unclear whether he will spend the next two years in Split. The Croatian magazine “Sportske Novosti” reports that he could only stay with his current club until the winter, in order to then gain further playing practice and experience in a stronger league with another club.
Vuskovic comes from a long line of footballers, his great-grandfather Marko, his grandfather Mario and his father Daniel all played for Hajduk Split, among others.