Luka Modrić completes Real Madrid move

Luka Modrić

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Croatia international Luka Modrić from Tottenham.

The 26-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Spanish champions after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical on Monday.

It brings an end to one of the summer's longest running transfer sagas, with Spurs poised to receive around £33million for the gifted midfielder.

"I'm very happy, honoured and proud to be at the biggest and best club in the world. I'm very excited," Modrić, who wore the No. 19 shirt as he was paraded to a crowd at the Bernabéu, said.

Tottenham have also announced that a partnership agreement has been established with Los Blancos, which will see the two clubs work closely together over the forthcoming years.

"Luka has been a terrific player for us and, whilst we preferred not to part with him, we are pleased that it is to Real Madrid, a club with which we now look forward to sharing a long and productive partnership," Spurs chairman Daniel Levy commented.

Meanwhile Real Madrid FC President, Florentino Perez, added: "The strong relationship and affinity between our two clubs has resulted in the cementing of a longer-term partnership and the successful transfer of Luka Modrić. We are delighted to welcome Luka and look forward to working closely with Tottenham in the coming years."

Modrić joined Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 and went on to score 17 goals in 160 appearances at White Hart Lane.

After establishing himself as one of the best central midfielders in England, Chelsea lodged a £40million bid in August 2011, which was rejected by Levy.

The unsettled Modrić had been keen to force a move to the Blues, but reluctantly played on for another season under the management of Harry Redknapp.

However, Tottenham have now granted Modrić's wish to leave the club after they narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season, with Levy agreeing to sell the Croatian to the Spanish giants.

Spurs boss André Villas-Boas has four days before the transfer window shuts to bring in a replacement.

Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho and Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian have both been linked.

Modrić, meanwhile, is unlikely to feature against Barcelona on Wednesday but could make his Real Madrid debut four days later against Granada.


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