'I think it has changed me in a good way' - Radu on his road to recovery
Wed 06 August 2025, 12:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
After a long stint out through injury, Radu Dragusin has revealed how the recovery process has reshaped his mindset and changed the way he sees the game to find solace in his setback.
The 23-year-old defender was dealt a tough blow after sustaining a season-ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during our UEFA Europa League victory against Elfsborg on 30 January last term.
Subsequently requiring surgery on his right knee, Radu was faced with a long road to recovery which began with learning to walk again but from that point on the seemingly arduous journey ahead became a challenge he learned to embrace.
"I think it really changed the way I see everything in football," said our new number three, speaking to us as part of the announcement for his squad number.
"It was my first injury so it was a big change. I had to learn to live with it, train with it but I think it changed me in a good way - it gave me another perspective of how I view everything in football.
"I had to learn how to walk again. I was on crutches, my knee was really stiff from the surgery. It was a long process but, once I got back to normal walking, it became a positive journey.
"I can say I enjoyed it because you need a positive mindset, to embrace the injury, even though it’s the worst part of the game. You need to learn to find a way to be happy and enjoy the process—and I think I found that."
Only a fortnight post-operation the centre-back commenced his rehabilitation with strength work in the gym and by 12 weeks was back out on the grass completing individual physical exercises at Hotspur Way.
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The recovery period can be lonely at times. On a different schedule to the rest of the squad, rehab often happens outside of normal training but Radu always felt close to the team and found strength in the people around him - from the staff to his teammates, and the outpouring of support from our fans.
"All the staff, all the players have been really helpful," he continued.
"They always tried to keep me close, not let me feel distant. Even though I had a different schedule, they made the effort. And like you said, the fans have been incredible—online and in person. People stopping me in the street saying, 'We can’t wait for you to come back'. It really helped."
Signed from Italian side Genoa in January 2024, the then 21-year-old was thrust into the action with a debut off the bench at Manchester United two days after his arrival and made nine Premier League appearances during the second half of the campaign.
Into his first full season with the Club in 2024/25, Radu was on a run of 14 consecutive starts in the league and had played his part in the earlier stages of our Europa League success with seven starts in the league phase - missing Ferencvaros away due to suspension - until his injury at the end of January.
Watching on as a supporter whilst his teammates navigated their way to the final against Manchester United, the defender travelled with the group to Bilbao and was part of the dressing room at San Mames Stadium despite not being able to feature as the playing squad claimed the trophy on that glorious night on 21 May.
Being part of it in someway felt significant in more ways than one. Not just getting his hands on the Europa League trophy during the post-match scenes but, on a personal note, it stirred the matchday emotions he had long missed and was an important reminder that the graft will all be worthwhile.
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"It was the first time I was back in the group for a match," he revealed. "Travelling with the guys, being with them again... I really missed that feeling, being part of the squad and feeling the locker room emotions.
"It was a big game - I didn’t sit for one second! I was on my feet the whole match, living every moment during the game. Yeah, I had to get used to it. Being not even on the bench, just in the stands - it’s a different way of living the game.
"But it was a reminder that all the hard work I’m doing will be worth it. Because during an injury, you start thinking negative thoughts - but being there reminded me that it’s all going to be worth it in the end."
Six months down the line, the hard work continues as he builds up his individual training programme before joining the group at some stage in hopefully the not-too-distant future.
With Thomas Frank coming in as our Head Coach this summer, Radu says he has been involved with the team meetings and has found that side really helpful in order to understand the Dane's new tactical ideas and defensive principles to allow for a smooth reintroduction.
Thomas previously stated on 18 July that the centre-back was still 'a little further away' to returning but, once he's back to full fitness, Radu simply can't wait to get back to training with the group and getting the chance to don his brand-new number three shirt in Lilywhite!
"I’ve been part of all the squad meetings—tactical ones, everything he and his staff are working to build," he explained.
"And I think it’s been really helpful for me to understand his ideas, principles and the tactics that he wants to implement in the squad. As a footballer, you adapt to the requirements the coach asks of you.
"But honestly, I just want to be back on the pitch training with the boys again. I can’t wait to be back. I’ve been working hard, on and off the pitch, with the fitness staff. Once I’m fully fit, I can’t wait to be back with the boys and back for the matches too."
