Fabian Hurzeler explained how Luka Vuskovic can become a ‘top player’, after Brighton’s record signing scored his first goal for the club against Leeds United.

The £50m Croatian defender rose at the back post, to head home Maxim De Cuyper’s corner, on Saturday (September 5).

It was a deserved equaliser for Albion, which came in the 71st minute, and rescued a point for the hosts at the Amex. Fabian Hurzeler’s side were lacklustre in the first-half but were a transformed team, after the break, and had multiple big chances to win the game.

Vuskovic, who joined Brighton from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, was making only his third Premier League appearance.

Luka Vuskovic, a £50m Croatian defender, rose at the back post, to head home Maxim De Cuyper’s corner, against Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Luka Vuskovic, a £50m Croatian defender, rose at the back post, to head home Maxim De Cuyper’s corner, against Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

He had been handed a tough physical examination by experienced Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but grew into the contest and was one of Albion’s standout performers.

Hurzeler was encouraged by the teenager’s ability to adapt quickly to the demands of English football, although the Brighton boss stressed that his age must not be forgotten.

“I think what he has is the physicality to adapt quickly to the Premier League, but definitely we shouldn't underestimate that he's a really young boy,” Hurzeler said.

“For his young age, he plays very mature and he definitely adapts quick, so he still has moments similar to the whole team performance.

Fabian Hurzeler explained how Luka Vuskovic can become a ‘top player’, after Brighton’s record signing scored his first goal for the club against Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“There are moments where he might switch off a little bit, moments where he's not 100 per cent into the game, moments where he also has a little bit of a lack of experience, but this will come over time.

“He's so young, he plays his third Premier League match, he played against a striker who is so experienced, and that's definitely something he will learn from.

“The Premier League will educate him, we try to help him, we try to give him support, and then he can be a top player.”

Jayden Bogle deservedly put the visitors ahead after 15 minutes when he followed up after Bart Verbruggen had saved Calvert-Lewin’s header.

Lewis Dunk then prevented further damage by racing back to clear Calvert-Lewin’s effort off the line after the Leeds forward had rounded Verbruggen.

Albion improved after the break, with Verbruggen making an important save to deny Anton Stach before Brighton eventually found their way back into the contest.

Vuskovic provided the decisive moment, rising highest at the far post to meet De Cuyper’s delivery and celebrate his first Brighton goal with the supporters behind the goal.

The Seagulls then had chances to complete the comeback, with substitute Promise David and Pascal Gross both missing huge opportunities to snatch all three points.

But for Vuskovic, the afternoon represented another important step in his rapid introduction to Premier League football – and his manager believes there is plenty more to come.