In one of the most significant transfer stories of the summer, Real Madrid icon Luka Modrić has verbally agreed to join Italian giants AC Milan. The move, confirmed by the club’s sporting director, Igli Tare, will see the Croatian maestro end his historic 13-year spell in Madrid and embark on a new adventure in Serie A.
The deal is expected to be formally signed and announced after the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup, where Modrić made one of his final appearances in the famous white shirt of Real Madrid. This transfer marks the end of an era for one of football’s most decorated midfielders and signals a major statement of intent from AC Milan.
The Deal is Done: Inside the Agreement
AC Milan has moved swiftly and decisively to secure the services of the former Ballon d’Or winner. According to the club’s sporting director, a verbal agreement has been in place since early June, with the player’s commitment secured before the Club World Cup even began.
Modrić is set to sign an initial one-year contract with the Rossoneri. The deal is reportedly worth around €3.5 million ($4 million) per year, plus performance-related bonuses, and includes an option for the club to extend the contract for a further season. For a player of Modrić’s calibre and experience, this is seen as a major coup for AC Milan.
More Than a Player: A Leader for a New Era
For AC Milan, this signing is about much more than what Modrić can do on the pitch; it’s about the leadership, professionalism, and winning culture he will bring to the dressing room. Sporting Director Igli Tare revealed the nature of his conversation with the midfielder, emphasizing Modrić’s hunger to compete at the highest level.
“The first question Luka asked me was: ‘Will we be a team built to win the championship?’ He has won six Champions Leagues and wants to be a star player from the start.”
Tare further explained the importance of Modrić’s arrival for the club’s project. “His arrival is crucial for a group that needs players like him, leadership,” he said. “The fact that he is an AC Milan fan makes this story even more exciting.”
The Modrić Motivation: One Last Challenge and a World Cup Dream
Even as he approaches his 40th birthday in September, Luka Modrić has made it clear that he is not looking for a comfortable final payday. His decision to join AC Milan is driven by two powerful ambitions: his desire to win a major league title in a new country and his goal of playing for Croatia in the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
To remain in contention for the World Cup, Modrić knows he needs to continue playing at an elite level. His move to AC Milan provides him with the perfect platform to maintain his match fitness and sharpness while competing for both the Serie A title and in the UEFA Champions League.
A Midfield Revolution at Milan
The signing of Modrić appears to be the first part of a major midfield overhaul for AC Milan. The club is also in advanced talks to sign another highly experienced international midfielder: Granit Xhaka. The former Arsenal captain is reportedly close to a move from Bayer Leverkusen, with personal terms agreed upon.
The potential pairing of Modrić and Xhaka in midfield would give AC Milan a formidable combination of technical brilliance, tactical intelligence, and physical presence, signaling a clear strategy to build a team capable of competing for major honors immediately.
Conclusion
Luka Modrić’s move to AC Milan is a testament to his extraordinary longevity and unwavering desire to compete. After winning an incredible 28 major trophies with Real Madrid, including six Champions League titles, he could have easily chosen a less demanding path. Instead, he has opted for one of Europe’s most challenging leagues, driven by the ambition to add more silverware to his collection and lead his national team one last time.
For AC Milan, they have not just signed a world-class player; they have signed a transformative leader who could be the final piece in their puzzle to return to the summit of Italian and European football.
