Modric joins AC Milan on one-year deal after 13 years at Real Madrid
The midfielder's arrival was confirmed by newly-appointed Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month.
"Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career," said Modric, who turns 40 in September, in an Instagram video shared by Milan.
Milan said Modric will wear the number 14 shirt, which he previously wore during his four years at English side Tottenham Hotspur to honour Dutch great Johan Cruyff.
"It's an immense honour for them to compare me to (Cruyff)... I wore the no. 14 at Tottenham in honour of him, and because the no. 10 wasn't available," Modric had said after winning the Ballon d'Or award in 2018.
Modric, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, announced in May that he would leave Real after the Club World Cup. He has made 597 appearances for the Spanish club, winning 28 trophies including four LaLiga and six Champions League titles.
He played his last game for Real on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals.
"It's a bitter end... he's a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He'll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today," Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match.
Modric, considered Croatia's greatest player of all time, has represented the country a record 188 times, scoring 28 goals. He won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2018, where he led Croatia to the final for the first time.
He won the Ballon d'Or in December that year, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious annual award since 2007.
Modric's arrival reinforces a Milan midfield that also features Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Samuele Ricci joining from Torino earlier this month.
Milan, who failed to qualify for a European competition after finishing eighth in the Italian top-flight league last season, begin their Serie A campaign against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 23. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
6 hours ago
- Observer
Arsenal manager Arteta pleased with early transfer business
KALLANG, Singapore : Mikel Arteta said he was happy that Arsenal had signed a number of top-quality players in the early stages of the transfer window, and that they had given the Premier League club impetus to raise their level in the coming season. Runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal have signed winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, as well as midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. "They bring new excitement, a new energy as well," Arteta told reporters in Singapore on Monday ahead of a pre-season match against Serie A side AC Milan. "We signed very important players as well. Again, everybody feels like their height has to go to a different level, and that's what we're seeking," he added. "Ideally, you want it (transfers) done on day one in pre-season. We've done very, very well so far. I'm very pleased with the way the club is supporting the necessities and improvements that we required in the team." Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, is also expected to move to the Emirates Stadium. "There's still a long time in the window, and we are seeking. In terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and the quality of the squad," Arteta added. "We are constantly looking in the market, but until that happens, I can focus on the players that we actually have, work with them, and I'm very pleased with what I've seen so far in the first 10-15 days." DIFFERENT ARSENAL Arsenal have let Premier League titles slip through their grasp in the last couple of years but this season will be different, defender Gabriel Magalhaes said. "I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager," Gabriel told the BBC in an interview published on Sunday. "We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players ... We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently. We almost won but I think this year, things will be different." Arsenal begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 with a trip to Manchester United. — Reuters
Times of Oman
8 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Portuguese coach Queiroz signs one-year deal to lead Oman national football team
Muscat: The Oman Football Association (OFA) on Monday officially signed a one-year contract with Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz to take charge of the national football team, marking the start of a new chapter ahead of a critical phase in the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup. The formal signing took place on Monday evening at the OFA's technical headquarters. Sayyid Sulaiman bin Hamoud bin Ali Al Busaidi, Chairman of the OFA Board of Directors, signed the contract on behalf of the association. Although Queiroz's appointment was confirmed last week, Monday's signing formalises the agreement, positioning the vastly experienced coach at the helm of the national side for the coming year. With a coaching career that includes high-profile stints with Portugal, Iran, Colombia, Egypt, and Qatar, the former Real Madrid manager brings a wealth of international experience and is expected to elevate Oman's competitive standing in the region. The OFA and Queiroz have expressed a shared ambition to guide the team through the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers and beyond, with a focus on consistency, tactical discipline, and youth development. A press conference is scheduled for August 5, where Queiroz will outline his roadmap and vision for the team. The OFA described the partnership as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the national squad's technical foundation and international competitiveness. The one-year contract sets the stage for what could be a pivotal period for Oman's football ambitions on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Times of Oman
Lamine Yamal to inherit Messi's iconic number 10 jersey for Barcelona
Barcelona: The young Spanish and Barcelona football sensation Lamine Yamal is all set to inherit the iconic number 10 jersey of club legend Lionel Messi, confirmed the Spanish giants on Wednesday. Yamal, who recently turned 18 on Sunday, takes the number from Ansu Fati, who completed a season-long loan move to AS Monaco earlier this month, as per ESPN. Taking to their official X handle, FC Barcelona wrote, "Our new No. 10." The young winger has emerged as one of the brightest faces for both Barcelona and Spain and has made 106 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals. Now, he will be inheriting one of the most iconic jerseys in sporting history and with that, tonnes of responsibility to score match-winning goals and assist his teammates in play-making. The number 10 jersey by has been worn by several Barcelona stars, including Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romario and Diego Maradona, other than Messi. It will be Yamal's fourth different jersey number with Spanish giants, wearing number 41 on debut in 2022-23, following by number 27 in the next season and number 19 last year, which was interestingly the number Messi used to wear before taking the number 10 shirt. With Barca, Yamal has already won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa title as well. He helped Spain win the European Championship last year, emerging as the 'Best Emerging Player'.
