Luka Modric has set his sights on taking AC Milan back to the top of the Italian game after penning an initial one-year contract with the Rossoneri.

Modric left Real Madrid as a free agent following their Club World Cup exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain last week, having spent 13 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He won 28 trophies during that time, including five Champions League crowns. That former figure is the most honours won by any Madrid player.

The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner played 597 matches for Madrid, with Karim Benzema (515) the only other player to surpass 500 for the club since Modric arrived from Tottenham.

Modric's next destination had already been all but confirmed, with returning Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri telling reporters he expected the midfielder to arrive on a free transfer by August.

After putting pen to paper on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, Modric said his aim was to bring glory back to San Siro. 

"I'm very happy to be here at a great club like AC Milan to start a new chapter in my career. I can't wait to see you all at San Siro," he told supporters on Instagram.

"We hope to make you happy and give you many wonderful moments this year, to make you proud of us and celebrate many victories together. A big hug to everyone!"

Milan endured a dreadful 2024-25 campaign, finishing eighth in Serie A. 

Paulo Fonseca only lasted six months as their head coach, and though his successor, Sergio Conceicao, oversaw January's Supercoppa Italiana triumph, his reign only lasted five months and one day.

As a result, Milan will not play in Europe in 2025-26, the first time they have failed to compete on the continental stage since they were banned from the Europa League over financial fair play issues in 2019-20.

This will only be Milan's fourth campaign without European football this century, having also spent 2014-15 and 2015-16 without continental commitments.