Dragusin: Paratici’s Call Was the Decisive Factor in Fiorentina Move

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Radu Dragusin has credited Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici as the decisive factor in his move from Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking at his unve...

90min.footballAI-assisted reporting

16 July 2026, 20:09 UTC2 min read

In short

Radu Dragusin has credited Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici as the decisive factor in his move from Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking at his unveiling, the Romanian defender revealed that Paratici’s phone call triggered a swift negotiation, with the pair’s history—Paratici took him to Spurs from Genoa in 2024—playing a key role. Dragusin, 24, endured an injury-hit final season in London and saw a January switch to Roma collapse. He said Fiorentina’s growth project and Paratici’s presence made the decision easy, and the deal was completed rapidly.

Radu Dragusin has identified Fabio Paratici as the figure who made his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Fiorentina possible, revealing that a single phone call from the Viola sporting director set the wheels in motion for a rapid summer switch.

Dragusin hails Paratici connection

The Romania international, presented to the media at Viola Park on Wednesday, explained that his existing relationship with Paratici—who originally brought him to north London from Genoa in 2024—was pivotal. “The negotiation started with the call from Paratici, whom I know very well,” Dragusin said. “The fact that he was here had a big influence.”

“When I received Fiorentina’s call, we didn’t think about it much, the negotiation didn’t last long.”

The 24-year-old added that he was attracted by the club’s long-term vision. “I chose Fiorentina because it has a growth project,” he stated, underlining that his decision was not purely sentimental.

Spurs exit ends difficult season

Dragusin’s final campaign at Tottenham was wrecked by injury, limiting him to only a handful of appearances across all competitions. A proposed move to Roma in the January window had also fallen through. “In the winter there were negotiations, but for various reasons I didn’t go anywhere,” he confirmed.

The rapid agreement with Fiorentina—reportedly concluded in a matter of days—allowed Dragusin to join pre-season training immediately. He becomes the second new arrival presented by the Serie A side in as many days, following midfielder Arthur Atta.

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