Tottenham Hotspur are starting to make a real name for themselves as a club that gives youth a chance.
Spurs have struck gold in the youth market in recent years, bringing the likes of Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham are also set to welcome two more rising stars to N17 next year, and one is now expected to arrive in North London earlier that might have been previously predicted.
The player in question is Luka Vuskovic, who will join Spurs from Hajduk Split next summer after a deal was agreed back in 2023.
The 17-year-old defender is currently playing on loan at Belgian club Westerlo, where he is well and truly making a huge name for himself.
Vuskovic has made 14 Jupiler Pro League appearances for Westerlo and, impressively for a defender, has four goals and one assist to his name.
He also represents Croatia’s Under-21s, who were in international action this month as they contested their European U21 Championship play-off with Georgia’s U21s.
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Luka Vuskovic now available for Tottenham from start of 2025/26 pre-season
Vuskovic and his charges contested a two-legged play-off to decide which country would reach the finals of the tournament next summer.
Croatia U21s lost the away leg 1-0 last week and then on Tuesday evening won 3-2 at home, which meant a penalty shoot-out would settle the tie.
And though Vuskovic converted his spot kick, Georgia ended up winning the shoot-out 7-6, booking their spot at the tournament in Slovakia next summer.
The tournament is scheduled to run from 11 June to 28 June, meaning Vuskovic would’ve likely missed out on the start of pre-season with Tottenham had Croatia made it.
Players who compete in international summer tournaments are required to have a minimum of three weeks off after participating.
However, with Croatia missing out on the tournament, Vuskovic is now set to be available to start at Spurs on the very first day of pre-season.
And obviously, while it’s a shame that the Tottenham-bound prodigy won’t be competing with Croatia’s U21s at the tournament, it does mean he’ll have more time to get used to his new surroundings at N17 and impress Postecoglou.
Meanwhile, South Korean attacking gem Yang Min-hyuk is expected to link up with Spurs at the start of 2025.
What can Tottenham expect from Vuskovic?
The Guardian has named Vuskovic in their Next Generation list of the 60 best youngsters in world football.
‘His older brother Mario was one of the Guardian’s Next Generation 2019 picks but even then coaches – and Mario himself – were saying that Luka was the truly generational talent,’ wrote Alex Holiga.
‘Hajduk Split gave him his senior debut as soon as he turned 16 and was allowed to play for the first team.
‘Two days after his birthday he started the derby against Dinamo – and a week later he scored his first goal.
‘A complete defender and a dominant player even at senior level, Vuskovic has incredible potential, and is now confidently showing it in Belgium on loan from Hajduk.
‘He will be at Spurs from the summer though after they snapped him in a record-breaking sale for the Croatian club.’
They added: ‘Jacek Kulig gave him a very rare 10/10 “potential rating” on his Football Talent Scout blog, rating him as “world class potential” with “no significant weaknesses”.’
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