AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Monday that Croatian football legend Luka Modric will join the Italian giants following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Modric, the longtime midfield maestro and captain of the Croatian national team, is set to end his 12-year stint at Real Madrid, having joined the Spanish club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. The 39-year-old had earlier announced that he would be leaving Madrid once his contract expired this summer, sparking speculation over his next destination.
After weeks of rumors linking him with a move to Serie A, Allegri ended all speculation during his first press conference since returning as Milan manager.
“He’ll arrive in August,” Allegri stated confidently. “He’s an extraordinary and important player, it would be useless to talk more about him.”
Real Madrid is currently participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, with a semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain scheduled for Wednesday. The final is slated for July 13, and Modric is expected to complete his move once Madrid concludes their campaign.
Allegri, who led AC Milan to their last Serie A title in 2011 during his first spell from 2010 to 2014, has now returned to lead a new chapter at the club. The team is preparing for the upcoming season, with their first competitive fixture set for August 17 in the Italian Cup. Modric is expected to be unveiled shortly afterward.
The veteran midfielder’s move is seen as a major coup for AC Milan, adding world-class experience to a midfield that has struggled with consistency in recent seasons. Modric, a Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, is celebrated for his composure, vision, and leadership on and off the pitch—qualities Milan will likely count on as they aim to challenge for silverware domestically and in Europe.
What You Should Know
- Luka Modric will join AC Milan from Real Madrid in August 2025, post-Club World Cup, per coach Massimiliano Allegri’s July 7 announcement.
- The 39-year-old, whose contract ends after Madrid’s semi-final vs. PSG on July 9, was linked to Italy since June, per transfer reports.
- Allegri, back at Milan after winning Serie A in 2011, called Modric “extraordinary,” with Milan’s season starting August 17 in the Italian Cup.
- X posts like @ACMilanNews celebrated the signing, while Modric’s move follows his storied Madrid career with five Champions League titles.
- The announcement coincides with Nigeria’s 3-0 WAFCON win and political shifts like Waziri’s ADC move, reflecting a dynamic news cycle.
