Dragusin enthusiastic about Fiorentina, but Tottenham ‘helped me grow’ | OneFootball

Radu Dragusin admits he ‘couldn’t wait to get here’ and join Fiorentina, but his experience at Tottenham Hotspur ‘helped me grow a great deal.’

The defender completed the transfer to the Viola this afternoon, on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season if certain conditions are met.

Dragusin back in Serie A

Radu Dragusin joins Fiorentina from Tottenham (acffiorentina.com)

“I feel really good, I am so happy to be here and can’t wait to get started with the lads on the pitch,” Dragusin told the official Fiorentina website.

The Romania international already speaks fluent Italian, as he spent much of his career in the peninsula.

He first came to Italy with the Juventus youth academy in 2018, then after loans at Sampdoria and Salernitana, he flourished at Genoa from 2022.

This earned him a €28m sale to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2024, but now he is back on loan for €1.5m with an obligation to buy for a further €17.5m to be activated at his 22nd appearance for the Viola.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Radu Dragusin of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Tottenham Hotspur and AZ at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 24, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“I had already come to Florence a few times when playing for Genoa, just as a tourist to visit this beautiful city and its amiable people. There is a big season ahead of us and we certainly want to do well,” continued Dragusin.

“The experience at Tottenham helped me grow a great deal, both as a player and a man. I carry with me the many tough duels I had with opposition strikers, the quality of the players I faced. It helped me to mature and I hope to bring that experience with me in this new team.”

There are some familiar faces for Dragusin in the current Fiorentina squad too.

“I already played with Albert Gudmundsson at Genoa and we have a great rapport. I also know Fagioli, Kean and Ranieri, so we exchanged some messages over the last few days. I couldn’t wait to get here.”

Dragusin’s Tottenham career was somewhat derailed by a very serious injury, as he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in January 2025 and that kept him out for practically a whole year.