Romania centre-back Radu Dragusin found chances limited at Tottenham Hotspur in the second half of the 2023-24 season but is crucial to his country’s cause at Euro 2024 where his aerial ability, physicality and hard graft make him a standout player. The 22-year-old moved to North London from Italian side Genoa in January but was kept on the sidelines by the form of another new arrival for the season, Mickey van de Ven, something Romania coach Edward Iordanescu admitted was a concern. It will mean limited game-time going into the finals, but Dragusin, who cites Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk as a role model, started every Euro 2024 qualifier as Romania went through the campaign unbeaten in their 10 games. He will be among their most important players in their first game in Germany against Ukraine in Munich on June 17, taking the right centre-back role in what is likely to be a back four. “The objective is to get out of the group,” Dragusin said. “Once we get out of the group, we will set another goal.” Tall, strong, quick and with a good long passing range, he is still learning the tactical side of the game but had plenty of suitors before Tottenham swooped, including a firm offer from Bayern Munich that the player rejected. His potential was spotted by then Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo, who plucked him from the club’s youth ranks to train with the first team in 2020. “He is a physically very strong player, who needs to grow a lot on a technical level but by training with great champions he will have time to do this,” Pirlo said at the time. Dragusin made his Juve debut aged 18 in a Champions League win over Dynamo Kyiv, but loan spells at Sampdoria and Salernitana were followed by another loan to Genoa that turned into a permanent move. He spent 18 months there, the first season helping Genoa to win promotion from Serie B, before his move to England. “He has a real appetite and determination to be the best,” Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said. “I’ve liked his trajectory. He’s played at clubs where he’s had to fight for everything. “The characteristics he has are around his defensive principles, which are really strong.” Dragusin made his Romania debut in March 2022 and can also slot in at right-back if needed.
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