Luka Modric, a veteran Real Madrid midfielder, has extended his contract until June 2024, the Spanish club said Monday.
Modric, 37, remains an important player for Real Madrid and chose to stay despite heavy interest from Saudi Arabia, which was trying to sign him when his previous contract expired this month.
This summer, the Croatian joins Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, and Nacho Fernandez in extending their stay at Real Madrid.
“In his 11 seasons defending our shirt, he has played 488 games and won 23 trophies,” said Real Madrid in a statement.
Modric has won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid since coming from Tottenham in 2012, as well as three La Liga titles and two Copas del Rey.
In September of this year, I will be 38 years old. Next season, Ballon d’Or winner Modric will face fierce competition at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid bought England international Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month for more over 100 million euros ($109 million), while Kroos, Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Fede Valverde are also vying for starting spots.
During his presentation, Bellingham stated that he was looking forward to learning from Modric and Kroos in particular.
Modric finished second in the Nations League with Croatia and has yet to announce whether he would retire from international football, as had been speculated, or if he will play until the 2024 European Championship next summer.
