Luka Modrić arrives at AC Milan in search of glory
At 39 years old, Luka Modrić will seek to revitalize AC Milan, a team with seven Champions League titles, after a disappointing season.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner arrived in Italy on Monday to undergo medical examinations with Milan, after saying goodbye to Real Madrid after 13 successful seasons in Spain. He is expected to sign a one-year contract, with the option of a second season.
Modrić grew up as a Milan fan, as his idol and Croatian compatriot, Zvonimir Boban, played for the club in the 1990s.
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Modrić announced in May his departure from Madrid after helping the Spanish giant win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copa del Rey titles and five Spanish Super Cups.
Milan finished eighth in Serie A last season, missing out on European competitions.
The Italian club re-hired Massimiliano Allegri as coach after the season, replacing Sérgio Conceição, who was fired.
Allegri won the Italian league for the first time with Milan in 2011, and then led Juventus to five consecutive titles from 2015 to 2019.
According to reports, Allegri called former Real Madrid and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to ask about Modrić’s form. Then, Milan’s new sporting director, Igli Tare, traveled to Croatia’s training camp last month to close the deal with Modrić.
The agreement was reached before the Club World Cup, but Modrić could not join his new club until he finished playing for Madrid in the tournament in the United States.
Madrid was defeated 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals in Modrić’s last match with the club.
