Modric agreed to personal terms last month but the 39-year-old midfielder waited until the end of his FIFA Club World Cup journey with Real Madrid to officially transfer.
On 14/7, Modric flew to Milan for a medical examination and signed a one-year contract, with an option to extend until the summer of 2027. The Croatian midfielder will earn a salary of 4 million USD per season and wear the number 14 shirt at his new club.
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Luka Modric's AC Milan debut on 14/7. Photo: AC Milan |
Luka Modric's AC Milan debut on 14/7. Photo: AC Milan
Modric received more lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and the MLS, but he wanted to continue playing at the highest level in Europe to maintain his hopes of participating in the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder has participated in four World Cups: 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022. In 2010, Croatia did not qualify. In 2018, Modric won the Golden Ball award at the World Cup, where Croatia finished as runners-up.
Modric developed at Dinamo Zagreb's academy before joining Tottenham in 2008 at the age of 22. He was a key player for Tottenham for four Premier League seasons before moving to Real Madrid. The 1.72m tall midfielder is the most decorated player in Real Madrid's history, with 28 titles, including six Champions League titles and five La Liga titles. He has been named in the FIFPro World XI six times and won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup.
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Samuele Ricci was AC Milan's first signing this summer. Photo: AC Milan |
Samuele Ricci was AC Milan's first signing this summer. Photo: AC Milan
Modric is Milan's second signing this summer, following midfielder Samuele Ricci, who joined from Torino for 25 million USD. The Italian club is also targeting defender Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), Radu Dragusin (Tottenham), midfielder Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Hamed Junior Traore (Bournemouth), and forwards Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) and Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).
Conversely, Milan sold two key players: Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City for 80 million USD and Theo Hernandez to Al Hilal for 30 million USD.
AC Milan will play their first friendly match against Arsenal at the Singapore National Stadium at 6:30 PM on 23/7, Hanoi time.
Compiled by Hong Duy
