Wikipedia

Luka Vušković

Luka Vušković (born 24 February 2007) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Croatia national team.

Luka Vušković
Vušković with Croatia in 2026
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-02-24) 24 February 2007 (age 19)
Place of birth Split, Croatia[1]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Number 44
Youth career
–2023 Hajduk Split
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Hajduk Split 8 (0)
2024 → Radomiak Radom (loan) 14 (3)
2024–2025 → Westerlo (loan) 36 (7)
2025–2026 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
2025–2026 → Hamburger SV (loan) 28 (6)
2026– Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
International career‡
2021 Croatia U15 3 (0)
2022 Croatia U16 3 (0)
2022 Croatia U17 4 (1)
2023 Croatia U19 5 (0)
2024– Croatia U21 10 (2)
2025– Croatia 6 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14 July 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 June 2026

A product of his hometown Hajduk Split youth academy, he played on the senior team from 2023 to 2025. Vušković entered the Premier League with a one-year stint on Tottenham Hotspur until 2026. Brighton signed him later that year in a club-record £46 million transfer on a five-year contract. A former Croatian youth international, Vušković made his debut for the senior team in 2025 and was a member of the Croatia squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

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Hajduk Split

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Born in Split, Vušković progressed through the academy of the local side Hajduk Split, becoming the youngest Croatian to play, and to score, in the UEFA Youth League.[3][4][5]

Vušković made his unofficial debut at 15, playing in a friendly against Urania in September 2022.[6][7] On 16 December 2022, he scored in a 4–3 friendly victory over the German side Schalke 04.[8]

On 26 February 2023, two days after his sixteenth birthday, Vušković made his professional debut, starting and playing 90 minutes in a league derby match against Dinamo Zagreb, which ended in a 4–0 loss for his side.[9][10][11] In the process, he became the youngest player in the Croatian top flight, together with Marko Dabro;[10] he also became the youngest player to ever feature in an Eternal derby game, surpassing Josip Bašić.[10]

On 2 March 2023, Vušković scored the opening goal in Hajduk's 2–1 win over Osijek in the quarter-finals of the 2022–23 Croatian Football Cup.[12] Scoring at 16 years and 5 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of Hajduk Split, in official matches.[13]

Loan to Radomiak Radom

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On 31 January 2024, after failing to make an appearance for Hajduk since the start of the 2023–24 season, Vušković joined Polish club Radomiak Radom on a six-month loan.[14] He made his first-team – and Ekstraklasa – debut on 10 February 2024, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute for Mike Cestor in a 0–6 away loss against Cracovia.[15] Six days later, Vušković received his first start for the club in a 0–4 home loss against Pogoń Szczecin. He returned to Hajduk at the end of the season.[16]

Loan to Westerlo

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On 9 July 2024, he was loaned to Westerlo in the Belgian Pro League.[17] Even as a centre-back, he scored seven league goals throughout the course of the season and won the 2024 Belgian Pro League goal of the season award for his goal against Club Brugge.[18]

Tottenham Hotspur

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On 25 September 2023, Vušković reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur about joining the Premier League club in 2025, in a deal which will run until 2030.[19] The deal was reported to be worth around £12 million.[20] Vušković joined Tottenham in July 2025 for their 2025–26 preseason, where he got a goal and an assist in his unofficial debut for Tottenham in a 2–0 friendly win against Reading.[21] Tottenham wanted to keep Vušković for the season as a backup player, where he was an unused substitute in the UEFA Super Cup final and Tottenham's first 2 Premier League matches of the season against Burnley and Manchester City,[22][23][24] but Vušković requested to go out on loan as he wanted to get regular game time.[25]

Loan to Hamburger SV

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On 29 August 2025, Vušković moved on loan to Bundesliga club Hamburger SV in Germany, joining his brother Mario.[26] Vušković scored his first goal for Hamburg on 20 September in a 2–1 league win over Heidenheim,[27] and on 28 September, he became the first player to win 18 aerial duels in one match in Europe’s top 5 leagues in 5 years whilst playing against Union Berlin, and won Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for September and October.[28] On 7 December, Vušković scored his second goal for Hamburg in a 3–2 win against Werder Bremen which would win the Bundesliga Goal of the Year award.[29][30] Vušković was named in the 2025–26 Bundesliga Team of the Season.[31] He concluded the season with six goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances, finishing as the league's highest-scoring defender and recording the best duel success rate in the division at 69.1%.[32]

Brighton & Hove Albion

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On 14 July 2026, Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Vušković on a five-year contract, for a reported club-record fee of £46 million ($61.5 million).[33][34]

International career

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Vušković represented Croatia at youth international level,[1] On 9 June 2025, he debuted for the senior national team in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic that ended in a 5–1 victory for Croatia, replacing Duje Ćaleta-Car in the 88th minute.[35] Vušković made his first start for the Croatia national team on 14 November 2025 in a 3–1 win against the Faroe Islands, which qualified Croatia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[36] On 26 March 2026, he scored his first goal for senior team in a friendly match against Colombia.

On 18 May 2026, Vušković was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[37] Vušković played his first game at the World Cup against England where he became the youngest Croatian player in the tournament's history.[38]

Personal life

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Hailing from a footballing family, Vušković's father, Danijel, formerly played for Hajduk Split, and now serves as a coach for the youth team.[39][40] His grandfather, Mario, played for the youth teams of Hajduk Split during the tenure of Tomislav Ivić, and went on to forge a footballing career in the Netherlands.[39] His great-grandfather, Marko, also played for Hajduk Split during World War II, and went on to work as a club executive.[39] His brother, Mario, and cousins, Moreno and Vito, are also footballers, as was their father, Ronald.[39]

Style of play

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Standing at 1.93 m (6.3 ft), Vušković holds an advantage among young players due to his height. He is notable for his positioning and ability to contemplate the opposition's plans and act accordingly. His heading abilities are also characteristic, making him a danger to the opposition during set pieces. For this reason, he is among the top scorers among young players, even though he plays as a centre-back. His imposing physique also gives him an advantage as a defender, while his quick thinking and ball distribution help facilitate attacks. Jacek Kulig, a scouting expert, stated that Vušković has no significant weaknesses.[3]

Vušković's style of play has been compared to that of the Spanish international Gerard Piqué,[41] while Vušković himself named Joško Gvardiol as his football role model.[42]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 16 May 2026[43]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hajduk Split 2022–23 HNL 8031—0000111
Radomiak Radom (loan) 2023–24 Ekstraklasa 143————143
Westerlo (loan) 2024–25 Belgian Pro League 36700———367
Tottenham Hotspur 2025–26[44] Premier League 00———0000
Hamburger SV (loan) 2025–26[44] Bundesliga 28620———306
Brighton & Hove Albion 2026–27[45] Premier League 00000000—00
Career total 8616510000009117

International

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As of match played 17 June 2026[46]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia 202520
202641
Total61

Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first.[46]

List of international goals scored by Luka Vušković
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2026 Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States  Colombia 1–1 2–1 Friendly

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. 1 2 Luka Vušković at WorldFootball.net
  2. ↑ "Luka Vušković" (in Croatian). HNK Hajduk Split. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  3. 1 2 Verma, Keshava (22 March 2023). "Who is Luka Vuskovic – The next big thing in Croatian Football?". Khel Now. New Delhi. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Gabelić, Tomislav; Galić, Mato (6 October 2022). "Ruši sve rekorde: 'Luka će biti najbolji Vušković u Hajduku'" [Breaking all records: 'Luka will be the best Vušković in Hajduk']. 24sata.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hajduk slavio i dobio rekordera: Luka Vušković postao najmlađi Hrvat u juniorskoj Ligi prvaka" [Hajduk celebrated and got a record holder: Luka Vušković became the youngest Croat in the Junior Champions League]. abcportal.info (in Croatian). 13 September 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  6. ↑ Milani, Babak (26 September 2022). "Jetzt startet der Vuskovic-Bruder durch" [Now the Vuskovic brother is taking off]. bild.de (in German). Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  7. ↑ Gabelić, Tomislav; Trifunović, Boris (25 September 2022). "Vječni trenutak dragulja 'bilih': Za Hajduk zaigrao 15-godišnjak" [The eternal moment of the jewel of 'the former': A 15-year-old played for Hajduk]. 24sata.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Prijateljska Utakmica: Hajduk - Schalke 04 4:3" [Friendly Match: Hajduk - Schalke 04 4:3]. hajduk.hr (in Croatian). 16 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "Eto nam i Luke! Vušković sa 16 godina i 2 dana ispisuje povijest Hajduka i hrvatskog nogometa". 24sata (in Croatian). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Šojat, Gordan (26 February 2023). "MLADI LUKA VUŠKOVIĆ ZA POVIJEST! Veliki talent Hajduka krenuo od prve minute u derbiju". Dnevno.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  11. ↑ "Dinamo ponizio Hajduk: Poigravao se sa Splićanima. Bez problema pobijedio 4:0 - Teleskop". Teleskop (in Croatian). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "Osijek: Osijek - Hajduk 1:2". hajduk.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  13. ↑ "Luka Vušković: Lijep je osjećaj zabiti gol u ovakvoj utakmici, posvećujem ga bratu". hajduk.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "Luka Vušković wypożyczony do Radomiaka!" (in Polish). Radomiak Radom. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "PKO Ekstraklasa: Cracovia 6-0 Radomiak". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "Dziękujemy za grę dla Radomiaka!" (in Polish). Radomiak Radom. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Welkom Luka". kvcwesterlo.be (in Dutch). KVC Westerlo. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  18. ↑ Sunderland, Tom (25 February 2025). "'I'm a defender joining Tottenham - I have more league goals than Bukayo Saka this season'". Daily Express. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  19. ↑ "Vuskovic to join Spurs". Tottenham Hotspur. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Tottenham close to signing 16-year-old Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split". The Athletic. 11 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Reading 0-2 Tottenham: Thomas Frank era begins with a win as Will Lankshear and Luka Vuskovic score". Sky Sports. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  22. ↑ "PSG vs Tottenham LIVE: European Champions beat Spurs on penalties to win Super Cup". BBC Sport. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  23. ↑ "Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Burnley: Richarlison double helps Spurs to impressive win". BBC Sport. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  24. ↑ "Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur match report". BBC Sport. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  25. ↑ Soriano, Joe (24 October 2025). "'Wanted to keep me' - Tottenham have to love that star man fought to leave". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  26. ↑ "HSV sign Luka Vuskovic on loan". Hamburger SV. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  27. ↑ "Hamburger SV vs Heidenheim: Bundesliga stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Luka Vušković named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for October". Bundesliga. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  29. 1 2 "Hamburg's Luka Vušković wins Bundesliga's 2025 Goal of the Year!". Bundesliga. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  30. ↑ "Hamburger SV vs Werder Bremen: Bundesliga stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Check out the EA SPORTS FC 26 Bundesliga Team of the Season!". Bundesliga. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  32. ↑ "Luka Vuskovic's unforgettable year at the Volkspark". Hamburger SV. 21 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "Albion sign Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham". www.brightonandhovealbion.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Luka Vuskovic: Brighton sign Croatia defender from Tottenham for club record £46m". BBC Sport. 14 July 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "Luka Vušković becomes third-youngest debutant in Croatia's national team history". Nogomania. 10 June 2025.
  36. ↑ "Croatia 3-1 Faroe Islands: Croatia qualify for World Cup and end Faroes hopes". BBC Sport. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  37. ↑ "Dalic blends youth and experience with Croatia squad". 18 May 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  38. ↑ "Eventful World Cup debut: Vuskovic sets a record, but learns too!". OneFootball. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  39. 1 2 3 4 Gabelić, Tomislav; Trifunović, Boris (25 September 2022). "Dinastija Vušković: Pape, dida i pradida bili su stoperi Hajduka" [The Vušković dynasty: Pope, grandfather and great-grandfather were Hajduk stoppers]. 24sata.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  40. ↑ Alfirević, Slaven (11 October 2022). "Luka Vušković puni 16 godina dan prije derbija s Dinamom. Zaigra li, postat će najmlađi debitant u povijesti Hajduka i HNL-a" [Luka Vušković turns 16 the day before the derby with Dinamo. If he plays, he will become the youngest debutant in the history of Hajduk and HNL]. slobodnadalmacija.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  41. ↑ "VIDEO Sjajni hajdukovac Luka Vušković zabio gol sa svoje polovice" [VIDEO Great striker Luka Vušković scored a goal from his own half]. Gol.hr (in Croatian). 9 October 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  42. ↑ A. H. (19 June 2025). "Vušković o hrvatskom reprezentativcu: 'On je životinja! To nikad nisam vidio'". Tportal.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  43. ↑ Luka Vušković at Sofascore. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  44. 1 2 "Games played by Luka Vuskovic in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Luka Vuskovic in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  46. 1 2 "Luka Vušković". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  47. ↑ "KIJK. Geweldige omhaal van Luka Vuskovic (17) tegen Club Brugge is 'Doelpunt van het Jaar'". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 4 February 2025.
  48. ↑ Stafford-Bloor, Sebastian (7 October 2025). "Luka Vuskovic is already adored at Hamburg – the Tottenham loanee seems worth the hype". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  49. ↑ "Luka Vušković named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for October". Bundesliga. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  50. ↑ "Luka Vušković wins Bundesliga Goal of the Month for December!". Bundesliga. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
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