Ivan Perisic completes shock deal as contract agreement reached

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 18 Sept 2024 20:30 BST
4 min read

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Ivan Perisic has signed with PSV as a free agent.

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The Croat has agreed a contract until the end of this season and has already successfully passed his medical examination.

Perisic was a free agent after leaving Hajduk Split during the summer and is the first Croat ever employed by PSV.

Current ETV

Ivan Perišić

M, A (L)

Ivan Perišić

M, A (L)

ETV Range

€1.2M - €2M

On Tuesday morning, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported the scoop that PSV were close to signing Perisic. The Croatia international is in the picture as a successor to Hirving Lozano, who will leave for San Diego FC during the January transfer window.

Also able to play as a left-back, a role where PSV have issues this season, he will also be able to have an instant impact.

"To have that much match experience you have to be a good player, who is almost always fit," director of football affairs Earnest Stewart explained on the club website. "Otherwise you don't come close to that. With the imminent departure of Hirving Lozano there was a vacancy on the wing, but he can play in many different positions. With Ivan we kill several birds with one stone."

Perisic himself is also very happy with this opportunity and admitted that he sought advice from a former PSV player: "Since I have been a free agent, I have been waiting for an option like this: a club and environment where I feel comfortable and where I can win prizes. I asked my former teammate Denzel Dumfries for advice, and that has only convinced me that PSV is the right step. I can't wait to get started, give it my all and win prizes."

READ MORE: Latest Tottenham transfer news

The Eindhoven club management considers the arrival of the very to be necessary in order to add extra quality to the squad.

Perisic can play both up front and at the back, where PSV are struggling with personnel problems on the flanks. In addition, the professionalism of the former player of Bayern Munich and Inter, among others, is also appreciated.

© IMAGO - Ivan Perisic in action for Tottenham

Perisic not eligible for Champions League

Although Perisic will not be eligible to play in the group stage of the Champions League, he can be of value to PSV in the Eredivisie. Head coach Peter Bosz can use him as a winger and as a left-back.

Director of football affairs Earnest Stewart even decided not to travel to Turin for the Champions League match against Juventus (a 3-1 loss), in order to get the deal with Perisic done as rapidly as possible.

Perisic is seen as a replacement for Hirving Lozano. The 29-year-old will leave for San Diego FC next winter, which will make its debut in the Major League Soccer. The 70-time capped Mexico international, who was acquired from Napoli in the summer of 2023 for €15m, will earn his side €12m.