‘He will leave his footprint on the Premier League’

Just how good is Luka Vuskovic? Journalist Stefan Walther, who covered him at Hamburg last season, says the 19-year-old has ‘incredible’ potential

Richie Mills

2026-07-24T06:00+01:00

📷James Boardman

Luka Vuskovic was the "boss on the pitch" from his first moments at Hamburg, and the new Albion signing will leave his "footprint" on the Premier League.

That is the verdict of Stefan Walther, who writes for German publication Hamburger Abendblatt and closely followed the 19-year-old's progress during his loan spell at the Bundesliga outfit last season.

The Croatian international made 339 defensive contributions, won 74.5% of his aerial duels, scored six goals from an Expected Goals tally of 4.22, and won the Rookie of the Season accolade.

And after signing from Tottenham on a five-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months, Walther is eager to see how he fares in the Premier League.

"First of all, he was the Bundesliga's best defender for the 2025-26 season statistically. He was at the top for headed duels, direct duels, goals by a defender - he was incredible," he said.

"He has excellent technical skills, and he often starts attacks from the back.

"On the pitch, he is a leader. Even though he was just 18, he dominated the team. He was the boss on the pitch from the first moment. He coordinated the entire defence."

Indeed, Vuskovic appears to be mature beyond his years. He was the joint-youngest appearance maker in Croatia’s top-flight history when he played for Hajduk Split as a 16-year-old, and last September against Union Berlin, the teenager became the first player in Europe's top five leagues to win 18 aerial duels in a single game since 2020. Despite being in the embryonic years of his professional career, the Croatian leads by example.

"Everybody listens to him. He was actually pushing his teammates when he felt the team was not at their best," said Walther. "He was yelling at his teammates, and nobody said anything against him. Everybody was nodding and was like, 'Okay, Luca is right'.

"It was incredible to see him lead a team at 18-19 years old, and he will still develop, still improve; he has a lot of potential."

The 6ft 4in defender joined Tottenham in 2023, before heading out on loan to Belgian Pro League team Westerlo, where he scored seven goals in 36 games.

And when the chance to join Hamburg came calling, he could not turn it down. His elder brother Mario has been at the German team since 2022 and Vuskovic felt compelled to join.

"Mario was already an incredible defender for Hamburg in 2.Bundesliga. A few years ago, Mario said he had a younger brother who was 15, and Luka was better than him at that age," added Walther.

"Everyone in Hamburg knew he had a younger brother but thought he would be too good to play for us. So expectations were high when he came to Hamburg and then he was even better than Mario."

In addition to his aerial prowess, Vuskovic had a dribble success of 88.9%, created 11 chances, his passing success was 83.1%, and he was dispossessed just 15 times in 28 Bundesliga matches.

The fact that the Croatian, who represented his country at this summer's World Cup, has a number of strings to his bow should stand him in good stead for the Premier League.

Walther added, "His qualities are at their best in a back three but it's not impossible for him to play in a back four. I think if Fabian Hurzeler sticks with a back four Luka will need some time to adapt. But I am pretty sure he will leave his footprint on the Premier League."