Tottenham has completed the signing of Romanian center back Radu Dragusin from Italian club Genoa.
The 21-year-old Romania international signed a contract on Thursday through the 2029-30 season.
„I wanted to join Sours the moment I heard they were interested. I thought about it and analyzed every aspect and I think this is the best step for my career,” he said. „I know the club has an incredible fan base, incredible staff and players and I can hardly wait to start. I made this decision with all my heart. It’s incredible.”
Bayern Munich had expressed also interest in the 1.95 m center back but the offer collapsed at the last minute after Dragusin opted for the London club. Financial terms of Dragusin’s transfer were not disclosed. British media report the fee to be about 30 million euros.
“This morning at 8am, the decision was made,” his manager Florian Manea told Romanian newspaper Gazeta Sporturilor. “I said, ‘We have to think carefully and evaluate. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs.’ I can’t believe I turned Bayern down! But that’s the decision I took with Radu and his family.”
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The Romanian joined Juventus at age 16 and made his first-team debut two years later. He had loans to Sampdoria and then Salernitana before joining Genoa, initially on loan. He helped Genoa gain promotion back to Serie A, playing 38 times and scoring four goals before the move was made permanent in July.
He established himself as one of the most highly rated young defenders in Italy’s top flight while playing for Genoa.
He also impressed during his youth career with Regal Sport Bucharest. The club has links to Atletico Madrid but Juventus made their move to secure their fellow European heavyweights to his signature in 2018, paying 250,000 euros for the then Romania Under-16 captain.
Genoa are now 12th after half a season back in Serie A, with Dragusin an ever-present prior to his transfer to England. He also featured in every game as Romania sealed a place at Euro 2024.
He’s regarded as an imposing defender with a spotless fitness record.
One of the oddest transfers ever in Romanian football
