Latest news with #ZvonimirBoban
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
McKenna explains how Croatian legend sold him on Zagreb move
The Scotland defender has completed his surprise move to the Croatian side after leaving Las Palmas following their relegation from La Liga last term. And he was delighted to find out he will make history when he makes his Dinamo said: "I was told I will become the first Scot to play in Croatia. I didn't know that - I thought I was maybe one of the first and perhaps the first Scot at Dinamo, but I didn't know I was the first Scottish player in the country. "I hope I play well and that Scotland will be proud of me. Read more: "A lot of Croatian players have played in Scotland in recent years, but obviously no one before me has gone the other way. "I'm happy to be here. This is a huge club and I'm grateful for the opportunity they've given me. I'm looking forward to playing here for a few years. "First, my agent called me about the interest from Dinamo and then I spoke to Zvonimir Boban. "The great thing was that the conversation wasn't just about football, the whole family got involved. He even spoke to my girlfriend. We all felt welcome even before I officially arrived. It wasn't a difficult decision. I know they are a huge club because of everything they have done in European competitions. Growing up, I heard about them because they were always competitive in Europe. When I got the call, I didn't hesitate. "Dinamo gives me the opportunity to play in Europe and win trophies and I really liked that. They have been very successful for many years and I want to be a part of it."
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
McKenna explains how Croatian legend sold him on Zagreb move
And he was delighted to find out he will make history when he makes his Dinamo said: "I was told I will become the first Scot to play in Croatia. I didn't know that - I thought I was maybe one of the first and perhaps the first Scot at Dinamo, but I didn't know I was the first Scottish player in the country. "I hope I play well and that Scotland will be proud of me. Read more: "A lot of Croatian players have played in Scotland in recent years, but obviously no one before me has gone the other way. "I'm happy to be here. This is a huge club and I'm grateful for the opportunity they've given me. I'm looking forward to playing here for a few years. "First, my agent called me about the interest from Dinamo and then I spoke to Zvonimir Boban. "The great thing was that the conversation wasn't just about football, the whole family got involved. He even spoke to my girlfriend. We all felt welcome even before I officially arrived. It wasn't a difficult decision. I know they are a huge club because of everything they have done in European competitions. Growing up, I heard about them because they were always competitive in Europe. When I got the call, I didn't hesitate. "Dinamo gives me the opportunity to play in Europe and win trophies and I really liked that. They have been very successful for many years and I want to be a part of it."
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Luka Modric expected to bring high standard in new club AC Milan next year
Luka Modric grew up supporting AC Milan because his idol and fellow Croat, Zvonimir Boban, played for the club. And because Milan in the 1990s was one of the strongest teams in Europe. So now that the 39-year-old former Ballon d'Or winner has joined the Rossoneri after 13 seasons at Real Madrid, he won't stand for the mediocrity that Milan displayed last season for an eighth-placed finish in Serie A that excluded the squad from Europe this coming season. Milan cannot be satisfied with average, Modric told Milan TV. It needs to have (the) biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world. And that's why I'm here. Modric was shown a photo of himself wearing a Milan warmup suit as a child. When I grew up, I used to watch a lot of the Italian league and Milan was my favorite team, he said. At the time in Croatia we followed Milan a lot because it was one of the most popular clubs in the world. And also because there was Zvonimir Boban who was my idol. On Monday, Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan that includes an option for another season. I wanted to stay in Europe, continue playing competitive football, he said. I had some other offers but when Milan showed up for me it was clear from the first moment. What also impressed me (was) how (sporting) director Igli Tare came to Croatia to present me the project. Milan rehired Massimiliano Allegri as the coach after last season, replacing the fired Sergio Conceicao. Allegri won the Italian league for the first time with Milan in 2011, then guided Juventus to five straight titles from 2015-19. Tare was also hired recently. What I want to bring there is to win, to help my teammates in every aspect, to work hard, to earn my place in the team, Modric said. Nothing can come easy in your life. You have to work. You have to fight. With Milan winger Rafael Leo holding onto the No. 10 shirt, Modric will return to the No. 14 he once wore for Croatia and at Tottenham. Leo was the Serie A MVP when Milan won the league in 2022 but has since performed inconsistently and clashed with the team managers. Leo, Modric said, is the present and future of Milan.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Modric won't stand for the mediocrity that his new club AC Milan displayed last season
MILAN (AP) — Luka Modric grew up supporting AC Milan because his idol and fellow Croat, Zvonimir Boban, played for the club. And because Milan in the 1990s was one of the strongest teams in Europe. So now that the 39-year-old former Ballon d'Or winner has joined the Rossoneri after 13 seasons at Real Madrid, he won't stand for the mediocrity that Milan displayed last season for an eighth-placed finish in Serie A that excluded the squad from Europe this coming season. 'Milan cannot be satisfied with average,' Modric told Milan TV. 'It needs to have (the) biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world. And that's why I'm here.' Modric was shown a photo of himself wearing a Milan warmup suit as a child. 'When I grew up, I used to watch a lot of the Italian league and Milan was my favorite team,' he said. 'At the time in Croatia we followed Milan a lot because it was one of the most popular clubs in the world. And also because there was Zvonimir Boban who was my idol.' On Monday, Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan that includes an option for another season. 'I wanted to stay in Europe, continue playing competitive football,' he said. 'I had some other offers but when Milan showed up for me it was clear from the first moment. … What also impressed me (was) how (sporting) director Igli Tare came to Croatia to present me the project.' Milan rehired Massimiliano Allegri as the coach after last season, replacing the fired Sergio Conceicao. Allegri won the Italian league for the first time with Milan in 2011, then guided Juventus to five straight titles from 2015-19. Tare was also hired recently. 'What I want to bring there is to win, to help my teammates in every aspect, to work hard, to earn my place in the team,' Modric said. 'Nothing can come easy in your life. You have to work. You have to fight.' With Milan winger Rafael Leão holding onto the No. 10 shirt, Modric will return to the No. 14 he once wore for Croatia and at Tottenham. Leão was the Serie A MVP when Milan won the league in 2022 but has since performed inconsistently and clashed with the team managers. 'Leão,' Modric said, 'is the present and future of Milan.' ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Luka Modric won't stand for the mediocrity that his new club AC Milan displayed last season
MILAN (AP) — Luka Modric grew up supporting AC Milan because his idol and fellow Croat, Zvonimir Boban, played for the club. And because Milan in the 1990s was one of the strongest teams in Europe. So now that the 39-year-old former Ballon d'Or winner has joined the Rossoneri after 13 seasons at Real Madrid, he won't stand for the mediocrity that Milan displayed last season for an eighth-placed finish in Serie A that excluded the squad from Europe this coming season. 'Milan cannot be satisfied with average,' Modric told Milan TV. 'It needs to have (the) biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world. And that's why I'm here.' Modric was shown a photo of himself wearing a Milan warmup suit as a child. 'When I grew up, I used to watch a lot of the Italian league and Milan was my favorite team,' he said. 'At the time in Croatia we followed Milan a lot because it was one of the most popular clubs in the world. And also because there was Zvonimir Boban who was my idol.' On Monday, Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan that includes an option for another season. 'I wanted to stay in Europe, continue playing competitive football,' he said. 'I had some other offers but when Milan showed up for me it was clear from the first moment. … What also impressed me (was) how (sporting) director Igli Tare came to Croatia to present me the project.' Milan rehired Massimiliano Allegri as the coach after last season, replacing the fired Sergio Conceicao. Allegri won the Italian league for the first time with Milan in 2011, then guided Juventus to five straight titles from 2015-19. Tare was also hired recently. 'What I want to bring there is to win, to help my teammates in every aspect, to work hard, to earn my place in the team,' Modric said. 'Nothing can come easy in your life. You have to work. You have to fight.' With Milan winger Rafael Leão holding onto the No. 10 shirt, Modric will return to the No. 14 he once wore for Croatia and at Tottenham. Leão was the Serie A MVP when Milan won the league in 2022 but has since performed inconsistently and clashed with the team managers. 'Leão,' Modric said, 'is the present and future of Milan.' ___ AP soccer:
