Luka Vuskovic, who Tottenham Hotspur signed from Hajduk Split for just £12m in September 2023, has established himself as one of the most promising young players in Europe while out on loan at Hamburg.
Luka Vuskovic has all but confirmed that he will leave Hamburg when his loan from Tottenham Hotspur expires at the end of the season. The 19-year-old defender fired Merlin Polzin's side to a 3-2 victory over Freiburg on Sunday afternoon, marking his last appearance for the German outfit at the Volksparkstadion with a brilliant goal.
Shortly after the hour mark, Vuskovic smashed a free-kick past Noah Atubolu to give Hamburg the lead. The Croatia international wheeled away in celebration, removing his shirt and presenting it to the stand behind the goal filled with home supporters.
Fabio Baldé doubled the Rothosen's advantage a few moments later before Igor Matanović pulled one back for the visitors. In the dying embers of stoppage time, Polzin took off Vuskovic, who was given a standing ovation as he left the field.
In an interview with German outlet Kicker after the game, the teenage sensation provided an update on his future. Vuskovic, who the Lilywhites signed from Hajduk Split for just £12million in September 2023, described the match as his 'farewell party'.
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"To a 99.9 per cent certainty, it was my farewell party," said the Croatian, as quoted by Bulinews. "It’s a special moment. I’m very happy that I could help this team. And I’m very happy that I was allowed to be part of this club."
Then, speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, the Hamburg boss showered Fabio Vieira, who spent the season on loan from Arsenal, and Vuskovic with praise. Polzin said: "I had the privilege of coaching these players for a year, and I’m very happy about that because they played a superb season."
Vuskovic has featured 27 times for Hamburg in the Bundesliga this season, scoring six goals and keeping five clean sheets. Playing a key role in the backline, he's helped the newly promoted side stay in the German top-flight.
The Croatia international has already been recognised for his efforts, earning a place in the Bundesliga team of the season. football.london understands that the Lilywhites wish to reward Vuskovic with a bumper new contract.
Spurs are believed to be readying a deal as they look to fend off interest from Europe's biggest clubs and remind him that he will be a big part of their future. Although Vuskovic has all but confirmed that he will return to Tottenham at the end of the season, Hamburg remains hopeful of keeping the centre-back.
That's according to their board member in charge of finance and organisation, who recently claimed the German outfit would be more than happy to re-sign him. Speaking to German outlet Welt at the OMR digital trade fair last week, Eric Huwer said: "If it were up to Luka, I think he would still like to experience the Hamburg atmosphere, the passion, and his development.
"But we're at best in the passenger seat. If the door opens even a crack, we'll be there. We always dream. But market realities are, of course, quite different. I think we can be very happy that we were able to accompany Luka with us for this one year."
Last month, Vuskovic, whose contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium doesn't expire until June 2030, revealed that his 'biggest dream' would be to share the pitch with his brother, Mario, who was given a four-year ban from football in November 2022 for a doping offence.
Speaking to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the Tottenham wonderkid said: "In football, you never know. It could happen next year, or in ten years. I don't want to promise anyone anything.
"But it's my biggest dream to be on the pitch with him here in Hamburg, or later in Split. After this season, I'll be a Tottenham player again. I have a contract there until 2030."
On why he decided to join Hamburg on loan in the first place, Vuskovic said: "The people here at the club have always stood behind my brother; they did everything they could. Everyone here, the fans, the coaches, the players, showed him so much love and respect.
"That's why I'm here. I wanted to give something back to this club and help them. Coming here was the easiest decision I've ever made. What happened to Mario has nothing to do with HSV."