The 39-year-old midfielder has signed a contract until June 2026, with the Italian side having the option to trigger a one-year extension.

Modric announced in May he would be leaving Spanish giants Real after the Club World Cup in the United States.

Speaking to Milan’s social media, he said he was very happy “to be starting a new chapter” of his career.

Massimiliano Allegri, who has returned for a second stint as Milan boss after replacing Sergio Conceicao, called Modric an “extraordinary player” when confirming the Croatia captain would join earlier this month.

Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, won 28 trophies – including six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles – with Real after his move from Tottenham in 2012, making him the club’s most decorated player.

He scored 43 goals in 597 games at Real and his final match was their 4-0 semi-final defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup last week.

Modric is keen to play at next year’s World Cup, which takes place in Canada, Mexico and the US.

Milan finished eighth in Serie A last season and missed out on a spot in Europe.

Nicknamed ‘the Turkish Messi’, Arda Guler struggled to live up to the hype last season under Carlo Ancelotti, but the 20-year-old is enjoying a fresh lease of life following the arrival of the Italian’s replacement.

BBC Sport examines the rise, fall and resurgence of a player blessed with enough talent to become one of the world’s best.

2024-25: Guler’s lost season

This time last year, Guler looked poised to take a pivotal role in the regeneration of Real’s midfield.

The former Fenerbahce starlet had finished his first season in Spain in fine style, scoring six goals in just 10 La Liga appearances to aid his team’s title triumph.

Guler further impressed at Euro 2024 for Turkey, most notably with a goal of the tournament contender as he showcased his smooth technique by curling home a delicious 25-yard strike against Georgia.

Right then, he appeared ready to follow in the footsteps of Real team-mates like Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga: teenage recruits from abroad who were signed for their huge potential and quickly blossomed into key performers.

But it didn’t happen. Instead, 2024-25 turned into a lost season.

Ancelotti rarely trusted Guler in big games, with his lack of importance underlined when he was an unused substitute for both legs of Real’s Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal.

Guler finished the season with less than 1,800 minutes played in all competitions – the squad’s second-lowest tally (aside from long-term injury absentees) – to spark speculation he may seek to revive his career by leaving Madrid.

But then came Ancelotti’s departure, Alonso’s appointment, and so far nobody has benefited more than Guler.

​​​​​​​Replacing Modric in the middle?

Part of Guler’s problem in establishing himself under Ancelotti was uncertainty over his best position.

The youngster flitted between a central role and the right-wing berth that he occupied during his early days – which also gave rise to the comparisons with Lionel Messi, for his ability to cut inside and shoot or create with his cultured left foot.

Guler himself has stated a preference for playing inside, where he has more opportunities to touch the ball and influence play.

Alonso agrees, stating the player “needs to be close to the ball”, and selecting him in that role for Real’s last two group games – victories over Pachuca and RB Salzburg – with Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz left on the bench.

Granted his wish, Guler responded with a pair of fine performances. After netting the second goal against Pachuca he was also instrumental in downing the Austrians, completing more passes than any other player during his time on the field.

In both those games, Guler was replaced midway through the second half by Modric. It felt symbolic: the old master relegated to the role of understudy, tasked with protecting the energy reserves of the man who has taken his place.

Modric will leave Real immediately after the Club World Cup, with AC Milan his likely destination. Current evidence suggests Alonso has replaced him already.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Luka Modric replaced Guler in Madrid’s recent victories over Pachuca and RB Salzburg

Quality, mentality and ‘big things in store’

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is among those convinced Guler will become a world superstar – and he knows better than most.

The Portuguese gave Guler, then just 16, his debut with Fenerbahce in 2021, and recalls he was immediately aware of the youngster’s rare ability.

“He reminded me of James Rodriguez when I coached him at the age of 19, recently arrived at Porto,” Pereira told Spanish newspaper Marca last week. “They are two players with exceptional talent.

“He [Guler] was a boy among men, but every time he received the ball he found the final pass. And if he made a mistake, he asked for the ball back to try again.”

Pereira doesn’t believe the comparison with Messi has much merit, instead agreeing with the player himself – and apparently Alonso – that he should be given the central midfield role previously occupied by Modric.

“I always saw him more as an eight or a 10 because of his ability to unbalance opposition between the lines,” he added.

“He’s intelligent, he looks for solutions before he receives the ball, he can play long or short, he can make the final pass or shoot from long range.

“He understands the game and always wants to know more. I can definitely see him playing instead of Modric.”

And the difficulties encountered by Guler last season have done nothing to dampen Pereira’s expectations of his former player’s potential.

“Coming to Real Madrid, with so many top-quality players, isn’t easy,” he concluded. “But he’ll find his place. I have no doubt his future has big things in store. He’s got the quality and mentality to become a main protagonist.”

Less than a month into Alonso’s reign, that process is already unfolding.

And if he shines in the last-16 tie against Juventus, it would be another sign Guler is ready to take the football world by storm.

The result of the match was academic, with Barcelona already confirmed as champions and Real runners-up.

But Mbappe ensured Los Blancos signed off the campaign with success, as well as putting himself in the driving seat to win the European Golden Shoe.

The France striker opened the scoring in the 38th minute, firing in after his penalty had initially been saved, and got his second with seven minutes left through a left-footed strike.

Mbappe’s first season at Real Madrid got off to a slow start but he finished it in blistering fashion with 11 goals in his final six league games. He is almost certain to finish as La Liga’s top scorer as he leads Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski by six goals with the newly crowned champions facing Athletic Club on Sunday.

But while Mbappe represents Real Madrid’s future, the day was about celebrating their past with the departures of boss Ancelotti and midfielder Modric.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Real Madrid fans paid tribute to Carlo Ancelotti with a banner

Ancelotti, who joined the Spanish giants for a second spell in 2021, is leaving to take charge of the Brazil national team on 26 May.

The Italian departs having won 15 trophies across two stints as Real manager, including the Champions League and La Liga titles last season.

A banner paying tribute to Ancelotti was displayed before kick-off, while Croatia legend Modric made his final appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu after confirming earlier this week he will leave following the Fifa Club World Cup this summer.

Modric, 39, has won has won 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles, since joining from Tottenham in 2012.

He went off to a huge ovation in the final few minutes of this game, receiving a guard of honour from Real Madrid and Sociedad players as he departed, hugging team-mates before his family greeted him on the edge of the pitch.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Luka Modric also had a banner displayed in tribute to him, as well as his shirt number on display in the centre-circle before kick-off

The 39-year-old Croatia midfielder, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, will play his final match at Real’s Bernabeu home when they welcome Real Sociedad on Saturday in their final La Liga game of the season.

“The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end,” Modric said on Instagram.

The Croat has won 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles, since joining Real from Spurs in 2012.

“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 open their Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on 18 June and will also face Mexico’s Pachuca and RB Salzburg of Austria in the group stage.

Modric bagged two goals and six assists in 34 appearances in the Spanish top flight this season, as Real were pipped to the title by Barcelona.

He also featured in every game as Carlo Ancelotti’s side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal.

He signed a one-year contract extension last year, which expires at the end of the season.

The 39-year-old midfielder has joined Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen among the ownership group.

That cohort purchased the shares of former majority owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan last November.

“This is an exciting opportunity. Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase, and the ambition to compete at the highest level,” said Modric.

“Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club. My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future.”

Modric’s move is believed to be his first into football ownership and he will continue to play for Real Madrid, albeit with his current contract due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The Swans stated: “Luka’s investment in the club is an endorsement of the club’s ambition and vision. He will play a key role in helping the club garner global attention and progress both on and off the pitch.”

Swansea chief executive Tom Gorringe added: “There is no better role model in the game for our players, from the academy right through to the first team.

“His endorsement of our ambition and willingness to support us on our journey will be instrumental as we aim to continue to improve our results on and off the pitch.

“In our conversations, he has demonstrated his passion for the club, his knowledge of how we are performing, and a genuine passion to help us improve.”

The Swansea City board collectively stated: “From our first discussions, it was clear that there was alignment on our visions and that Luka would be a real asset to our group.”

Swansea posted a pre-tax loss of £15.2m in the latest financial year.

That was a drop of £2.7m compared to the pre-tax loss of £17.9m posted for the previous financial year.

They posted a turnover of £21.5m for the year ending 30 June, 2024.

In a statement accompanying their annual financial status, Swansea said: “The board acknowledges that whilst the magnitude of the operational loss is a product of the highly competitive environment within the EFL Championship in which the club currently competes, the club will continue to focus on achieving operational efficiencies in order to maximise the resources which can be invested into the first-team squad.

“The costs of operating a stadium and two training facilities are significant and are growing.

“In the absence of any immediate prospect of a redistribution agreement between the EFL and the Premier League, the club will continue to be reliant on the support of its ownership group as the main source of funding.”

The 38-year-old’s previous contract expired at the end of June, but he has reached an agreement to play a 13th season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Modric signed for Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 and has since made 534 appearances in all competitions, scoring 39 goals and providing 83 assists.

He boasts a club-record 26 trophies, including six Champions League, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups and four LaLiga titles.

In 46 appearances last season, with many of those off the bench, he scored twice and assisted six goals.

The announcement also confirmed that Modric will be the new club captain following Nacho’s departure last month.

With England midfielder Jude Bellingham absent for Real for a third consecutive game, the contest looked to be heading towards a goalless draw.

However, Croatia midfielder Modric, 38, curled in seven minutes after his introduction as a substitute.

Modric has started in just 11 of his 21 La Liga appearances this season.

The former Ballon d’Or winner is out of contract in June and Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said he would understand if the Croatian was upset about his lack of playing time.

“He shows everyone how hard it is for me to leave him on the bench,” Ancelotti said.

“Not just for the goal he scored, but how he trains. He is an example to the whole squad. It’s very complicated to leave him on the bench.”

Ancelotti said Modric’s contract situation was also “complicated”, adding: “It’s hard to manage. I was once a player and went through it in my last year as a professional player.

“I would understand if Modric was a little bit upset if he is not playing. Everyone thinks he is at the end of his career, but I think he doesn’t agree with that. He looks to be well, fresh. He’s got legs. He doesn’t seem like he is 38.”

Lucas Vazquez had a goal disallowed for the hosts before Modric struck decisively.

The Real full-back’s effort was chalked off when a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review concluded that home defender Nacho had fouled forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the build-up.

Federico Valverde also went close for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, hitting the post early in the second half, although in the main a Sevilla defence that was well marshalled by former Real great Sergio Ramos stood firm.

Second-placed Barcelona are on 57 points, with Girona a point further back in third. Girona play their game in hand on the top two against Rayo Vallecano on Monday (20:00 GMT).

The Croatia midfielder, whose contract had been set to expire at the Bernabeu, had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League.

Modric, 37, has made 488 appearances for Real, winning three La Liga titles and the Champions League five times since arriving from Tottenham in 2012.

He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 as Croatia reached the World Cup final.

Following an announcement of his new contract in the Spanish capital, Modric wrote “Home Sweet Home,” on Twitter.

He follows Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos and Nacho Fernandez in extending their contracts with the club this summer and is still regarded as a key player for the 14-time European champions.

Real have already completed the high-profile addition of England international Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer to add further competition for places in their midfield.