New Delhi, July 15 (H.S.): Croatia's captain Luka Modric has concluded a 13-year tenure at Real Madrid, signing a one-year deal with AC Milan, which includes an option to extend until June 2027. The announcement came from AC Milan on Monday, with the club's new coach Massimiliano Allegri confirming Modric's arrival.

The 39-year-old midfielder will don jersey number 14 at Milan. Widely recognized as one of the greatest midfielders ever, Modric announced his departure from Real Madrid following the club World Cup, where he played 597 matches and secured 28 trophies, including four La Liga and six Champions League titles. His final match with Real was a 0-4 loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the club World Cup semi-final, where manager Xabi Alonso praised his legendary status.

Modric, celebrated as Croatia's finest player, scored 28 goals in 188 appearances for his national team, leading them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals and winning the Golden Ball and the Ballon d'Or. His addition enhances AC Milan's midfield, which includes Yusuf Fofana, Yunus Musah, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, following a disappointing eighth-place finish last season. The team will kick off its Serie A campaign against Cremonese on August 23.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar