Real Madrid captain Luka Modric is preparing to bring down the curtain on 13 incredible years with La Liga giants.
Modric has established himself as a club legend at Los Blancos winning four Spanish top-flight titles and six UEFA Champions League crowns and the 2018 Ballon d'Or.
The Croatia international extended his expiring contract to lead Real Madrid in this summer's FIFA Club World Cup - but he will step away after the tournament - after the club opted against an extension for next season.
Modric has become the poster boy for Real Madrid's infamous policy of only offering one-year extensions to players aged 30+, with successive deals signed by the former Tottenham playmaker, but his time in Madrid has now come to an end.
No official decision will be made until Real Madrid end their CWC campaign this month, but Modric is eligible to join a new team as free agent, with AC Milan reportedly beating rivals Inter Milan to his signature.
The 39-year-old will be granted an extended summer break before signing his deal at the San Siro with Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatović 'confirming' the move.
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Mijatović 'confirms' Luka Modric will join AC Milan
Former striker Mijatović claimed an agreement is in place for Modric, who is expected to sign a one-year deal in Milan, with the option for an extension into the 2026/27 campaign.
"It seems like the decision has been made, but you know how football is. He's very close to joining AC Milan," as per reports from Mundo Deportivo.
"He's always been a player who, of all the Italian teams, has been drawn to AC Milan. Perhaps because his idol Zvonimir Boban played there, in the team that won the Champions League.
"It's a good decision for Modric. It's likely he'll sign for a year, play in the World Cup, and then retire. Although Luka could surprise us.
"He could say it's last season, move on, have a birthday and continue. The other day we saw him come in and sacrifice himself - he's a machine."
Modric's main goal is focused on leading Croatia at the World Cup next summer - after turning 40 in September - with 188 caps for his national team.
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