Croatia captain, Luka Modric, has signed a one-year deal with AC Milan at the age of 39, the Italian club said on Monday.
Last week, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner would head to the San Siro from Real Madrid after the Club World Cup.
Modric, who turns 40 in September, joined Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 and had been linked with a move to Italy since early June, after announcing he would leave the Spanish giants at the end of his contract.
“AC Milan are delighted to announce Luka Modric has signed a contract with the club until 30 June 2026 with an option for a one-year extension until 30 June 2027,” the 19-time Serie A winners said.
Modric was in Milan earlier on Monday to undergo medical tests but according to Italian media will only start training with his team-mates in August.
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“I’m very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career,” Modric said in a video on the club’s social media platforms.
“A big hug to everyone,” he added.
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.
Allegri is back at the helm at Milan having led them to the Serie A title in 2011 during his first spell in charge between 2010 and 2014.
Their first game of the new season is in the Italian Cup on August 17.