Liam Duckstein
AC Milan have officially signed Luka Modric on a one-year contract, with an option to extend until June 2027, marking the Croatian legend’s next chapter after a trophy-laden 13-year stint at Real Madrid.
The 39-year-old midfield maestro, who turns 40 in September, arrives at the Rossoneri to bolster a side eager to return to European competition after a disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A last season. Milan confirmed the signing on Monday, with manager Massimiliano Allegri — recently reinstated — having hinted at the move earlier this month.
“Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career,” Modric said in an Instagram video posted by the club. He will wear the No. 14 shirt — a tribute to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, whom Modric honoured during his time at Tottenham.
Modric’s departure from Madrid was announced following the Club World Cup in May, closing a historic spell in which he amassed 597 appearances and collected 28 major trophies, including four LaLiga titles and six UEFA Champions League crowns. In his final appearance, he came on as a second-half substitute in a 4-0 semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s a bitter end… he’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid,” said Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. “He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today.”
A Ballon d’Or winner in 2018 and the recipient of the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, Modric is widely regarded as Croatia’s greatest-ever footballer. With 188 international caps and 28 goals, his leadership was pivotal in Croatia’s historic run to the World Cup final in Russia.
His arrival significantly strengthens Milan’s midfield, which already includes Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Rossoneri also added Samuele Ricci from Torino earlier this month, underlining a strategic rebuild under Allegri’s guidance.
Milan’s 2025/26 Serie A campaign kicks off on August 23 against newly-promoted Cremonese — a fixture now set to showcase one of football’s most enduring icons in a new jersey.