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The young centre-back agreed to join Spurs back in 2023 when still a 16-year-old, but had to wait until the summer of 2025 to join the squad.
Competition for his signature was fierce for a centre-back who stood over six feet tall in his mid-teens, and has since grown into a defender with an eye for goal.
Spurs won the race, and Vuskovic says the project laid out by the north London side was far more attractive than the one on offer at City.
"Manchester City has many, many, many young players. I didn’t want to be just a number. At Tottenham, they presented me as one of the top projects. And that really meant a lot to me at that moment. That was the deciding factor, let’s say."
He added: "The feeling was really great, I was overjoyed [to be joining Spurs]. My father called me, said that they were just waiting for my signature, that they really wanted me. They showed me the project. And I really liked it. I didn’t think much about it."
Asked if he would be tempted to join City in the future, Vuskovic said: "I honestly have no idea. I’m taking it one step at a time, feeling great right now, making good progress. And I hope it continues that way."
Spurs were keen to keep Vuskovic - who scored on his debut during pre-season - as part of their first-team squad this season, though would have been behind the likes of Cristian Romero, Mickey van de Ven and Kevin Danso in the pecking order, while the likes of Radu Dragusin is returning from fitness.
Vuskovic chose to go out on loan to play far more regularly, and has immediately becoming an integral player for Bundesliga side Hamburg. He has played every minute of all six league games so far, scoring one goal.
Van de Ven was sensational in two-goal display at Everton and Frank has tough Spurs decision that could be crucial to their season
Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs cruised to a 3-0 win at Everton
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Matt Verri
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Kevin Danso started it and Thomas Frank finished the job.
After a brief wrestling match with his centre-back partner, Micky van de Ven reluctantly moved to the front of the Tottenham queue to take in a huge post-match ovation in front of the away fans.
A couple of fist pumps in the air, a bit of clapping back at the supporters and Van de Ven then ushered his team-mates forward to join him.
Frank had other ideas, arriving on the scene to pull Van de Ven to the front again and point at him with a beaming smile on his face, sparking more noise from the stands.
On an afternoon when Spurs defied Everton's previously unbeaten record at their new stadium and some miserable conditions to win 3-0, Van de Ven was central to it all.
Thomas Frank ushers Micky van de Ven forward in front of the away end at Everton
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The Dutchman wore the captain's armband at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and produced a player-of-the-match performance to go with it.
In those celebrations on the pitch after the match, Frank laughed as he pointed to his head and embraced Van de Ven. At the start of the season, Frank demanded that his centre-back score more headed goals. By half-time here, he had done so twice.
Two Van de Ven goals from corners put Spurs in control and Pape Matar Sarr sealed victory off the bench. The result moved Spurs up to third in the Premier League table and if they are to stay there, Frank must find the right balancing act with Van de Ven.
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He missed large chunks of last season with a hamstring injury and keeping him fit has been high on Frank's priority list.
“I think the big thing here is that we're building him,” Frank said last week.
“I think he himself has done a lot in terms of doing everything he can to recover in the best possible way. Build his strength in the gym.
“The way he and we built him in the pre-season I think was crucial. And I think he is in a top place, getting more and more robust. So we just need to keep, as you say, be aware and do the right thing. But right now he's in a very good place.”
With Cristian Romero out with an adductor injury and the timeline for his return uncertain, Van de Ven's availability is particularly significant.
He stepped up on the ball against Everton, completing 68 passes. That was at least 21 more than any of his team-mates and there were some line-breaking passes that Romero would have been proud of, one fired through the Everton midfield in the first-half to find Xavi Simons.
Van de Ven became the first Spurs defender in 12 years to score two goals in the same game
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Defensively he was sensational too, helping Spurs to deal with the bombardment of crosses Everton launched into the box.
Van de Ven is probably the first name on the Spurs team-sheet right now but his injury record and a hectic fixture list means rotation is necessary, regardless of how much his fitness has been built up.
He has played more Premier League minutes this season than any other outfield Spurs player and has not missed a second of Champions League action.
The problem is Spurs' lack of depth in defence. Romero is still out and Ben Davies faces a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring issue. Radu Dragusin is in the final stages of recovering from his ACL injury but Spurs will be cautious with him, and Kota Takai is not yet ready to feature. It leaves 16-year-old Jun'ai Byfield as the only centre-back cover.
Joao Palhinha would likely step in as he did against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup if there is another injury, but the 30-year-old is crucial in midfield and an eye must be kept on his minutes too.
There are no obvious games to rest Van de Ven, either. A Carabao Cup trip away at Newcastle this week is a tough one and Spurs' chances of victory would diminish without him. Copenhagen's visit in the Champions League a week later is an option but the team are in need of every European point they can find.
Van de Ven is in supreme form and Spurs need him to be ever-present on the pitch. That would be a major risk to his fitness, but resting him in the Carabao Cup would be a similarly significant risk to the team's hopes of silverware.
Frank might have no choice - his stand-in captain simply can't play every minute of every match. There are no easy decisions, but making the right ones will be crucial for Van de Ven and Spurs' season.
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.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "Tottenham injury update: Romero, Solanke, Udogie latest return dates - London Evening Standard")
Spurs are still missing nine first-team players
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Arthur Ferridge
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Tottenham bounced back to winning ways in style on Sunday, with a 3-0 win at Everton, and hope to soon welcome back a few players from injury.
Two goals from Micky van de Ven saw Spurs become the first away team to win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and without injured captain Cristian Romero.
Romero is back on grass after suffering an adductor issue, so he is edging closer to a return and it is hoped that Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke are not too far behind.
Here is all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...
Cristian Romero
Romero watched from the bench as Spurs were beaten by Aston Villa on Sunday after he pulled out during the warm-up.
The centre-back was named in the starting lineup but he had been battling an adductor issue in the build-up to the match and it was decided he was not to fit to face Villa.
Speaking after that match, Frank insisted it was only a “minor” problem, but the skipper missed the draw at Monaco and win over Everton.
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“Cuti just walked out on the grass running [with] some of the performance guys,” Frank told reporters before the victory on Merseyside.
“So positive, progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one.”
Potential return date: November
Cristian Romero was due to start against Aston Villa but watched from the bench instead
Action Images via Reuters
Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke had a minor ankle procedure last month to repair a persistent issue first suffered during pre-season, scuppering hopes of a comeback before the international break.
Frank continues to be encouraged by Solanke’s progress, though remains unsure as to exactly when he will be able to call upon the striker.
“Dominic, positive, he's taking steps in the right direction every day,” Frank said before the win at Everton.
“Was on the grass again today on his own, but has now a sustainable amount of pitch session in him on his own, so it's progressing forward.”
Potential return date: November
Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie has also missed Tottenham’s last two games having picked up a knee injury while on international duty with Italy earlier in the month.
The full-back did not feature against the Toffees, but just like Romero, the hope is that his issue is not long-term.
“Destiny is not on the grass yet but still progressing, so again not a longer one,” Frank said on Friday.
Potential return date: November
Radu Dragusin
Radu Dragusin has been out injury for nine months with a serious knee injury, and recently returned to training as he looks to build up his fitness.
It appears a return to action could come in the coming weeks, but his international call-up last week to the Romania squad will have come as a surprise to Tottenham.
Romania head coach Mircea Lucescu tried to do the same last month, before reportedly being convinced by Spurs to be more patient. It remains to be seen if Dragusin is even able to play in World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and San Marino.
Potential return date: November
Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma has not played for Spurs yet this season after he was left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup for disciplinary reasons.
He had been recovering from an injury and finally returned to the pitch for Mali over the international break, but was injured again moments after his introduction and stretchered off.
Frank said of his recovery: “Biss, unfortunately, had a situation with the national team, I think everyone saw that, so he got a ligament injury to his ankle that will keep him out for weeks."
Potential return date: Unknown
Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski is yet to appear for Spurs this season after undergoing surgery on his patella after the Europa League final.
Frank recently confirmed that there was a “good chance” of Kulusevski pulling on a Spurs shirt before the year was out, adding the winger’s return was “hopefully not too far away”.
Potential return date: December
James Maddison
James Maddison is expected to miss most of the season after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL, sustained in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle.
Potential return date: Summer 2026
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The new manager has his team playing well in his image, with more tools up his sleeve
At the double: Micky van de Ven
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Matt Verri
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri
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The harder the better for Tottenham, it would appear.
Home matches against sides they are expected to beat prove problematic. An away trip to Everton, however, was one that on paper looked an incredibly tough test and it was one they passed with flying colours.
Spurs are the first side to come away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium with all three points and this was a 3-0 win built on the principles of Thomas Frank.
Committed defending, efficient set-pieces and a superb mentality in a heated atmosphere. Spurs are up to third in the Premier League, only a point off Bournemouth above them and five off leaders Arsenal.
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Another statement away day
For all their troubles at home, Spurs have the best away record in the Premier League. They are the only side not to be beaten on the road.
It is now 13 points picked up from a possible 15, a draw at Brighton the only thing between them and a perfect record.
This might be the most satisfying win of the lot for Frank. After a tough week and against an Everton side that had not tasted a defeat in their new stadium, this was a brilliant result.
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The conditions were ugly and so, at times, was the performance. Kevin Danso took as long as he could before delivering long throws and Van de Ven was happy to get into a shoving match in the Everton.
In an increasingly frustrated stadium, though, Spurs kept their heads. Everton chucked plenty of crosses into the box but the defence held up superbly, and the visitors were ruthless at the other end.
Free-flowing, entertaining football? No. This was not a day for that. It was a day for grinding out a result in difficult circumstances and Spurs were up to the task.
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Set-piece again, ole ole
In a league that has become increasingly fixated on set-pieces, Frank's arrival at Spurs has proved to be a timely one.
His predecessor Ange Postecoglou had little time for them but Spurs are now among the league's best from dead-ball situations, thanks largely to the work of set-piece coach Andreas Georgson.
Everton had not conceded from a corner all season before this match - by half-time they had done so twice.
Van de Ven was at the double twice to take his tally for the season to five. The first he turned in after the good work from Rodrigo Bentancur, before timing his run perfectly to beat Jordan Pickford for the second.
Spurs are still not clicking into gear from open play, but the set-piece threat makes it easier to be patient.
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Kolo Muani catches the eye
Good things come to those who wait.
Almost two months after signing for Spurs on Deadline Day, Randal Kolo Muani got his chance to start for the first time. He is not yet up to full fitness but he was still able to show what Spurs have been missing.
In the first half, he played a clever first-time ball into the path of Xavi Simons, who should have done more in the box. Shortly afterwards another lovely touch set the Dutchman running into space.
Richarlison has looked leggy in recent weeks, having played so much football earlier the season, while Mathys Tel has worked hard but is not a natural striker.
Kolo Muani held the ball up much more confidently and helped get Spurs up the pitch when Everton were having periods of pressure.
He was only able to play for an hour, but that was already enough evidence to suggest Spurs are a better side with the Frenchman up front.
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Matt Verri
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri
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Tottenham returned to winning ways with a statement 3-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In driving rain, Micky van de Ven scored two first-half headers from corners to put Spurs in control.
They came under pressure after the break as Everton pushed for a way back into it, but Pape Matar Sarr came off the bench to seal victory and send Spurs up to third in the Premier League.
Here’s how Standard Sport rated the Spurs players...
Guglielmo Vicario 8
Stunning save to keep out Beto’s overhead kick. Not entirely convincing from corners but stepped up when he needed to, picking up from where he left off in Monaco.
Pedro Porro 8
Came to the rescue early on with superb block to deny Jack Grealish. Perfect corner delivery for Van de Ven’s second. One poor challenge on Grealish early on but otherwise impressive.
Kevin Danso 8
Not as eye-catching as his centre-back partner but did his job brilliantly. Everton chucked plenty of crosses into the box and he was rock solid in the air.
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Micky van de Ven 9
Magnificent captain’s performance as he led by example. Defended sensationally, some great line-breaking passes and dominated in the Everton box with two headed goals.
Djed Spence 6
Somewhat shaky display against Iliman Ndiaye, who had the beating of him. Got better as the match went on but one of his tougher afternoons.
Joao Palhinha 7
Easy to not notice him and yet nobody made more tackles for Spurs than his four. Not quite as energetic after a busy week but so often in the right place to get his foot in.
Rodrigo Bentancur 8
A firm statement after recent criticism. Nice run in the first half into box and then fired a brilliant half-volley just wide. Great desire at back post to assist Van de Ven’s opener and was everywhere in midfield.
Mohammed Kudus 8
More central role but still Spurs’ biggest threat. Ability to hold onto the ball and relieve pressure is crucial and his set-piece delivery was on the money again.
Xavi Simons 5
More needed from him in the decisive moments. Tracked back well to help Spence but fluffed his lines more than once in attack. Still waiting for lift-off moment in a Spurs shirt.
Brennan Johnson 6
One dangerous drive inside when he showed better conviction but otherwise quiet on the right wing. Not enough to grab the starting shirt for upcoming matches.
Randal Kolo Muani 7
Promising first start for Spurs. Led the line confidently and some lovely touches to play Simons in more than once. Tired after the break but team look better with him starting.
Substitutes:
Lucas Bergvall (Simons 61’) 6
Added some legs to midfield as Everton pushed in the second half. Little chance to get involved on the ball.
Richarlison (Kolo Muani 61’) 6
Should have put the match to bed when clean through but blasted straight at Pickford. Made up with it somewhat with assist for Sarr.
Pape Matar Sarr (Kudus 77’) 8
Wonderful cameo. So energetic in getting Spurs up the pitch and put match to bed with confident headed finish.
Mathys Tel (Johnson 90+3) N/A
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Spurs head to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time as Thomas Frank looks to improve performances in the early weeks of his reign. Another turgid display in midweek saw Spurs scrape a point away at Monaco, which has followed a frustrating 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa last weekend, has left some fans less than impressed with the manager.
Everton has made a steady start to the season, beating the likes of Brighton and Crystal Palace but coming unstuck against Liverpool and, last time out, Manchester City. However, a good omen for Moyes and his side is that they have won each of their last five games held on a Sunday - and all under the Scot’s stewardship.
Spurs have won just one of their last five games across all competitions, and Everton remain unbeaten at their new home. Can Spurs turn the tide? Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Kevin Danso will continue alongside Micky van de Ven at centre-back for Tottenham against Everton, with Cristian Romero still out with an adductor strain.
Romero has missed the last two Spurs matches and is not fit to return at Goodison Park.
He has returned to individual training on the grass but it remains uncertain when he will be available to Thomas Frank again.
“Cuti [Romero] just walked out on the grass running [with] some of the performance guys,” the Spurs boss said on Friday.
“Positive, progressing, no timeframe, but I don't expect it to be a longer one.”
Destiny Udogie, who has not played for Spurs since returning from international duty with a knee injury, is also still out.
Archie Gray filled in at left-back in the Champions League but Djed Spence is expected to return to the side against Everton in a more familiar back four.
The midfield partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur has come under scrutiny. However, Frank has shown that he will turn to the duo whenever possible, particularly away from home.
This would be their third starts in a week, but Bentancur came off after an hour against Monaco and Frank has the option to rest them in midweek in the Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Newcastle.
Gray is an option in his preferred position should changes be made, while Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr are also pushing to start having had limited minutes recently.
Wilson Odobert is a doubt after he picked up what appeared to be a rib issue against Monaco. He was able to continue before being replaced, suggesting it is not too significant a problem, but Frank was unsure over the severity after the match.
Dominic Solanke is not yet ready to return after ankle surgery and Frank has a decision to make up front.
Randal Kolo Muani has made two brief cameos off the bench and the Spurs boss could opt to give him his first start in midweek against Newcastle after admitting he is not yet up to full speed.
“I think it's fair to say he's not 100 per cent physically ready to be bombarding 90 minutes again and again,” Frank said of Kolo Muani.
Tottenham have announced that Eric Hinson has joined the club's board as a non-executive director.
A former US Navy officer and pilot, Hinson has made his career playing leading roles at aircraft manufacturers and simulation companies.
The American is also on the Space Florida board and chaired the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Hinson has held executive positions at SIMCOM International, Honeywell, Piaggio and Gulfstream and Spurs believe his "experience in the management of high-performance teams, strategic transformation and organisational growth" will benefit the club.
He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the board and to be bringing a different set of skills to support the management team.
"I am looking forward to working with Vinai, Peter and the rest of the board to support the great work already underway.”
Th aviation executive is the fifth member of what Spurs have described as "refreshed and modernised" board.
It is led by non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and also includes chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the club after Daniel Levy's departure.
Matthew Collecott is operations and finance director, a role he also holds at ENIC, while Jonathan Turner is lead independent director.
“To deliver more and better for our fans requires a broad mix of expertise and experience at board level," Charrington said.
“Eric brings valuable expertise in high-performing and high-pressure corporate and military teams which, combined with the strengths of the wider team, will put us in an even stronger position to deliver on our goals.”