The English transfer window may now be closed for business, but on Monday afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur announced the shrewd signing of highly-rated Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who will join the club from Hajduk Split when he turns 18 in 2025.
The Lilywhites are believed to have beaten the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City to the signature of the 2007-born defender, who has committed to a long-term contract in North London until the end of the 2029-30 season.
Vuskovic adds to the ever-growing list of youthful talent in the Lilywhites' ranks, and the prospect of the Croatian forming a central partnership with Ashley Phillips in the next decade or so is a wholly exciting one for the white half of North London.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Vuskovic's fledgling career so far, including his playing style and what Spurs fans can expect from their newest teenage sensation.
Background
Born into a footballing family in Split, the love for the game ran through Vuskovic's veins from a young age; his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all represented their hometown club in some capacity, while his brother Mario Vuskovic bombs down the left-hand side for German second-tier side Hamburger SV.
Vuskovic's two cousins and uncle have also dabbled in professional footballing careers too, and it therefore came as no surprise to see the centre-back enrolled into the Hajduk Split academy as a child, where he rapidly progressed through the youth ranks.
Vuskovic was only 15 years old when he began to represent the club's Under-19 side, proving a threat in both boxes with six goals in 14 league matches during the 2022-23 season, as well as two strikes from six UEFA Youth League contests.
Hajduk Split went all the way to the final in 2022-23, but they suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of AZ Alkmaar in the final, while Vuskovic missed wins over Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City earlier in the knockout rounds through suspension.
Amid his quest for continental glory at youth level, Vuskovic made his first-team debut for Hajduk Split just two days after turning 16, playing in a 4-0 league loss to Dinamo Zagreb. Three days later, the defender would become Hajduk Split's youngest-ever goalscorer by netting against NK Osijek in a Croatian Cup quarter-final tie, before going on to win the tournament.
In total, Vuskovic turned out 11 times for the club's first team in the 2022-23 season, although he was also plagued by a muscular injury, and he is yet to make his first appearance of the 2023-24 season.
Playing style
We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for Luka Vuskovic to join the Club in 2025 from Hajduk Split 🤍
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 25, 2023
Already cutting an imposing 6ft 4in figure at the age of just 16, Vuskovic unsurprisingly uses his physical prowess to his advantage in both boxes, and he proved to be one of Hajduk Split's biggest goal threats at youth level during the 2022-23 season.
As well as dominating aerially from set-pieces, the right-footed teenager scored a couple of magnificent long-range goals from inside his own half, catching the opposing goalkeeper off their line and not thinking twice about letting fly.
One can expect Vuskovic to be closed down before getting such a shot away in the Premier League, but the centre-back's qualities on the ball are not just limited to the odd 50-yard stunner, as he has a keen eye for a long pass and is composed under pressure.
In addition, the Croatian starlet is happy to venture out of defence with the ball at his feet - making a Joel Matip-esque run - although such bold tactics leave his side susceptible to counter-attacks while Vuskovic is out of position.
Nevertheless, Vuskovic has shown to be a reliable presence at the back - effortlessly bullying opponents off the ball in a similar manner to Arsenal star William Saliba - and he was only booked once in 11 senior appearances last season.
However, Vuskovic lost his cool a couple of times during the UEFA Youth League, receiving a straight red card against Shakhtar Donetsk after scoring the winning goal, before being cautioned in both the semi-final and final of that tournament.
International experience
Given Vuskovic's age and international allegiance, the 16-year-old has inevitably been compared to the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Josip Sutalo, but he is yet to rub shoulders with either of his compatriots in the Croatia setup.
Back in the spring of 2022, Vuskovic made three appearances for Croatia's Under-16s in friendly matches with Armenia, Greece and Slovenia - winning all three of them - before he was quickly promoted to Under-17 level just six months down the line.
The soon-to-be Tottenham defender came into the starting side for Croatia's Under-17 Euros qualifiers in October 2022, and he scored on his third appearance for the youth team - a 2-2 draw with Sweden.
Vuskovic played in another two friendlies with Denmark and Turkey back in February, but he has not been seen in national team colours since, failing to make their squad for May's Under-17 European Championships owing to his injury woes.
Croatia could have done with Vuskovic marshalling the backline four months ago, as their Under-17s went out in the group stage without winning a game, but once the teenager recovers from his latest affliction, it may not be long before Zlatko Dalic runs the rule over Tottenham's latest protege.
Ben Knapton
