The announcement

AC Milan confirmed on Thursday that Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 30 June 2027. The 40-year-old Croatian midfielder, who turns 41 on 9 September, joined the Rossoneri on 14 July 2025 after 13 seasons at Real Madrid. Modric, who has often spoken of a childhood admiration for Milan inspired by compatriot Zvonimir Boban, arrived as a free agent last summer and had been without a club during the World Cup. The club's social media post read: "The future still carries his name. Luka's Rossoneri story continues." An official statement described Modric as "a key figure in the Rossoneri midfield since his arrival" who has "brought his experience and quality to the service of the team, both on and off the pitch, with humility and great passion." He will continue to wear the number 14 shirt.

2025-26 season and injury

Modric made 37 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring two goals and providing three assists. He started 32 of Milan's 38 Serie A matches. His campaign was interrupted by a cheekbone fracture suffered in an accidental collision with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli during a 0-0 draw in April. The injury forced him to miss several games, and he could only appear as a substitute in the final four matches. A final-day defeat to Cagliari saw Milan slip to fifth place, missing out on qualification for the 2026-27 Champions League. The club subsequently dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri and appointed Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim.

Appearances37

Goals2

Assists3

Appearances

37

Goals

2

Assists

3

Data from the article text

World Cup 2026

Modric captained Croatia in all four of their matches at the 2026 World Cup. He played the full 90 minutes in each game, providing an assist for Nikola Vlasic's winner in a 2-1 group-stage victory over Ghana. Croatia's run ended in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal. The early exit allowed Modric time to rest and consider his future, having been without a club during the tournament after his previous one-year deal expired.

Amorim's midfield rebuild

New head coach Ruben Amorim had made retaining Modric a priority. In comments reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, Amorim called Modric an "incredible player" and said "we want to keep" him, while acknowledging the midfielder may not play every game but would be a hugely important figure. Amorim is implementing a 3-4-3 system, with Modric joining a midfield group that includes Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana, Ardon Jashari, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuele Ricci. The club has also signed defender Mario Gila from Lazio and forward Gonçalo Ramos, though Rafael Leão has expressed a desire to leave this summer.

A career of one-year deals

Modric has signed consecutive one-year contracts since May 2021, first with Real Madrid and now with Milan. This latest extension means he will play beyond his 41st birthday and could become the oldest player to appear for the club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic holds the record at 41 years, five months and 15 days; Modric would need to feature in a match in March 2027 or later to surpass it. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner won 28 trophies at Real Madrid, including six Champions League titles, and has earned over 200 caps for Croatia.

“He is an incredible player, one we want to keep.”