Real Madrid departure imminent for Luka Modric, as he prepares to join AC Milan
AC Milan Secures Signing of Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić, the extraordinary Croatian midfielder, has joined AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option for a second year. The 39-year-old will wear the number 14 jersey for the Italian club, as they aim to rebuild after a disappointing season without European football.
The official announcement of Modrić's signing was made on 14 July 2025, with the contract set to run until 30 June 2026, and an option to extend to 30 June 2027.
Modrić's decision to join Milan was influenced by his desire to continue playing in Europe and push the club beyond "average" after their eighth-place Serie A finish in the previous season.
Having spent 13 trophy-filled seasons at Real Madrid, Modrić brings a wealth of experience to AC Milan. During his time at the Spanish giants, he won six UEFA Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, five UEFA Super Cups, four LaLiga titles, two Copa del Rey, and five Spanish Super Cups. He also won the 2018 Ballon d'Or and multiple domestic titles with Dinamo Zagreb early in his career.
As AC Milan prepares for the upcoming season, the club sees Modrić as a veteran leader to accelerate their rebuilding project and to raise standards. The club and Modrić have spoken publicly about aiming for top targets rather than "average."
The blend of Modrić's experience with younger players is expected to be a key part of Milan's strategy, with the club intending to use his arrival to attract or reconfigure other signings. The tactical and managerial fit also seems promising, as Modrić joins a squad coached by Massimiliano Allegri, with reports suggesting that Allegri is an experienced figure able to guide a rebuilding side.
However, it's worth noting that there are no competitive Milan match statistics yet for Modrić in 2025–26, so assessments of on-field impact must wait for the season to start. Additionally, while transfer-related reporting suggests further moves may follow Modrić's arrival, confirmed incoming or outgoing signings tied directly to him have not been finalized.
AC Milan's league opener is scheduled against Cremonese on August 23. The club has also sold midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City, while Theo Hernandez has been linked with a move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Rafael Leao, forward for AC Milan, is expected to stay with the team for the upcoming season.
Despite the potential departures of Reijnders and Hernandez, AC Milan remains optimistic about retaining key players like Mike Maignan, their goalkeeper, who has attracted interest from Chelsea, but remains with the club due to Milan's £25 million asking price not being met.
As Modrić prepares to join AC Milan in August, his departure from Real Madrid marks the end of a remarkable career with the club. The Club World Cup, taking place in the United States, will be his final tournament with Real Madrid before he embarks on a new chapter with AC Milan.
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In the upcoming sports season, AC Milan, with Luka Modrić on board, targets not just an average performance, but aims to compete in European leagues, such as the Champions League and the European leagues. The Croatian midfielder, a proven champion with Laliga experience from his time at Real Madrid, is expected to contribute significantly to Milan's campaign, given his impressive trophy haul, including six UEFA Champions League titles.
