Fiorentina have officially announced the signing of Romanian defender Radu Dragusin from Tottenham Hotspur on a loan deal that includes an option to buy for a total package of €19 million. The move brings an end to Dragusin's frustrating 18-month spell in north London and offers him a fresh start in Serie A.
Dragusin's Tottenham struggles
Dragusin joined Tottenham in January 2025 from Genoa in a deal worth around €25m, but the 24-year-old struggled to break into Ange Postecoglou's first-team plans. Despite showing promise during his time in Italy with Genoa and earlier at Juventus, he made just 12 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, often finding himself behind Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in the pecking order. As Football Italia first reported, the two clubs have been in negotiations for several weeks before reaching an agreement.
The Romanian international, who was part of his country's squad at the 2026 World Cup, was keen to secure regular playing time ahead of the upcoming European qualifiers. His agent, Florin Manea, had indicated earlier this summer that a return to Serie A was Dragusin's preferred destination, and Fiorentina moved quickly to seal the deal.
What Dragusin brings to Fiorentina
Fiorentina have been in the market for a central defender following the departure of Nikola Milenkovic to Saudi Arabia, and Dragusin fits the profile of a ball-playing, physically imposing centre-back. Standing at 1.91m, he is dominant in the air and comfortable bringing the ball out from the back—a key requirement in Raffaele Palladino's tactical setup. His familiarity with Serie A, having spent three seasons in Italy before his Premier League move, should allow him to settle quickly.
The deal is structured as a one-year loan with an option to buy, with the total fee set at €19m if Fiorentina decide to make the move permanent. That figure would represent a slight loss for Tottenham on their initial investment, but it reflects the player's limited impact in England and Spurs' desire to trim their squad.
Key Takeaways
- Radu Dragusin returns to Serie A after a disappointing spell at Tottenham, joining Fiorentina on loan with a €19m buy option.
- The Romanian defender will compete for a starting spot in Palladino's revamped backline, likely partnering Lucas Martínez Quarta or new signing Jhon Lucumi.
- Tottenham recoup a portion of their outlay while clearing wages, allowing them to reinvest in other targets this summer.
- Dragusin's move highlights the growing trend of young players leaving the Premier League in search of guaranteed minutes.
Quick Facts
Player: Radu Dragusin
From: Tottenham Hotspur
To: Fiorentina
Deal: Loan with option to buy
Option fee: €19 million
Contract length: One-year loan (with potential permanent deal)
Previous clubs: Juventus, Genoa, Tottenham
Dragusin is expected to undergo a medical in Florence in the next 48 hours before joining Fiorentina's pre-season training camp. He could make his debut in the club's opening Serie A fixture against Bologna next month.
