Izuchukwu OkosiLuka Modric will leave Real Madrid at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, the player and hid club announced on Thursday.
The legendary Croatia international posted aon Instagram about his departure after 13 years at the club after arriving from Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 2018 Ballon d’Or winner wrote:
“The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, bit that’d football, and in life everything had a begining and an end.
Modric won 28 trohpies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles.
“I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the jersey of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next,” he said.
“Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person.
“I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.”
Real will face Saudi Arabian pro league giants Al Hilal on 18 June before fixtures against Mexico’s Pachuca and RB Salzburg of Austria in the group stage.
Modric chalked up two goals and six assists in 34 appearances in the Spanish top flight this campaign as Real lost the La Liga title to Barcelona.
Modric was a regular player for the 15-time European champions as they were eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they lost 5-1 on aggregate against Arsenal.
Modric had signed a one-year contract extension last year, which expires at the end of this campaign.
Similarly, Saturday’s game will also be Carlo Ancelotti’s last game in charge of the club with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso reportedly set to succeed the Italian.
Modric is Real Madrid’s most decorated player after 590 appearances, 43 goals and 95 assists.
“Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all Madridistas as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,” added club president Florentino Perez in a statement.
“His football has captured the imagination of Madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”
Modric is currently the third longest-serving member of a Spanish top-flight side, behind Oscar de Marcos of Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke.
Last month, the Croatia legend became an “investor and co-owner” with a minority stake in Championship side Swansea City.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
