Luka Modrić (pronounced [ˈluːka ˈmɔːdritɕ],
born 9 September 1985 in Zadar) is a Croatian footballer who plays for
Tottenham Hotspur and for the Croatia national football team.
Modrić's
childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence. After
showing promise in hometown club Zadar's youth team, he was signed by
Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager in 2002. His professional career began with
loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić. While he was playing for GNK Dinamo Zagreb, they won three consecutive league titles and several domestic cups, with Modrić named Prva HNL "Player of the Year" in 2007.
Dinamo Zagreb
In 2005, Modrić signed his first long-term contract with Dinamo through to 2015. After a goalless first season, he managed to secure a place in Dinamo's first team, contributing 7 goals in 31 matches to help win the league. During this time, Modrić rapidly established his role as playmaker or designated left winger in the team's 4–2–3–1 formation.
In the 2006–07 season, Dinamo again won the league with Modrić making a similar contribution,acknowledged
by the Prva HNL Player of the Year award. The following season, he led
Dinamo's attempt to qualify for the UEFA cup. In the final play-off
stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the away fixture against AFC Ajax
in a game that ended 1–1 after normal time. Dinamo then went on to win
the game 3–2 in extra time after a brace from teammate Mario Mandžukić
secured their win on away goals.However, Dinamo Zagreb still failed to
advance beyond the group stage.
At his last home game with Dinamo at Maksimir Stadium, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners. He finished his impressive six year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of 31 goals and 29 assists in four seasons, contributing most notably in the 2007–08 season when Dinamo became champions by a 28 point margin and won the Croatian cup in the same year.
Modrić made his debut for Tottenham on 28 July 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Norwich City. He played 45 minutes at Carrow Road during the 5–1 victory. His competitive debut was on 16 August in the 2–1 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Spurs' first match of the 2008–09 Premier League season.
Initially, Spurs used him as a deep-lying playmaker in central midfield, usually alongside Jermaine Jenas, to utilise his passing range, vision and creativity to optimum effect. However, then-manager Juande Ramos deployed him in an extremely deep defensive midfield role, which his slight frame was not physically suited to. Before joining Tottenham, his greatest success had come in a more advanced, attacking left-sided role. Playing him out of position limited his influence. Modrić also suffered from a niggling knee injury early in his Spurs career and he had to endure being labelled as a "light-weight" by sections of the media. This coincided with his poor form, knocking his confidence and making him even less effective, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia manager Slaven Bilić.
With the appointment of current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, Modrić was given a more familiar advanced attacking role as a central or left-sided midfielder, which had been a problem position for Tottenham in the past. In the first few months of the 2008–2009 season until the 2009 January transfer window, Modrić assumed a far more advanced role as a second striker behind one of Tottenham's two recognised first-team strikers, Roman Pavlyuchenko or Darren Bent. This allowed Modrić to have a far more attacking influence on the team and also utilise his footballing brain more productively, as in the thrilling 4–4 draw with arch rivals Arsenal on 26 October 2008. Modrić's impact in this position was well demonstrated with Tottenham's 4th and equalising goal when he collected the ball on his chest from Tom Huddlestone, and after a few controlled touches, unleashed a long-range half-volley which, courtesy of a deflection, hit the post and set up Aaron Lennon for a tap-in. Since this performance, his form improved considerably for Spurs, coinciding with his club's vastly improved form in the league. Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side, setting out plans to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker.
During the January 2009 transfer window, Tottenham re-signed strikers Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane, allowing Modrić to return to midfield while retaining his advanced attacking role as a roaming left-sided midfielder. Spurs' other major signing, tough-tackling Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios, bolstered Spurs' central midfield and gave Modrić more freedom in attack, while Palacios operated as a more defensive midfielder. Using him in his former position from Dinamo Zagreb days made him even more effective with inspirational performances against Hull City, Stoke City and most notably, a match-winning performance against Chelsea.
Modrić scored his first Tottenham goal in a 2–2 draw against Spartak Moscow during the UEFA Cup group stages on the 18 December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United in Spurs' next match, three days later.Ahead of the 2009–10 season, ex-Spurs captain Jamie Redknapp said of Modrić "[He's] a hell of a player and a manager’s dream, so I am told. He trains like a demon and never complains, will work with and without the ball on the field and can beat a defender with a trick or with a pass. He could get into any team in the top four and he’ll be even better this season." On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win over Birmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury. The following day it was confirmed that Modrić had broken his leg, sustaining a fracture to his right fibula and was expected to be out for six weeks. However, on 31 October 2009 Spurs' manager Harry Redknapp announced a delay to Modrić's return. Modrić finally returned to training after numerous delays on 8 December in a match against Grays Athletic. He made his first start in the Premiership for four months in the London derby against West Ham United which Spurs won 2–0, with Modrić making a telling contribution by scoring with the leg he broke in the 11th minute.
On 30 May 2010, Modrić was awarded with a new six-year contract, that runs until 2016. Modrić said after the deal; "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them. Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere. Last season's Top 4 finish was an indication of where we are as a Club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs". On 11 September 2010, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a 27th minute strike which put Tottenham 1–0 up away at West Bromwich Albion. The match finished in a 1–1 draw after Chris Brunt equalised. During the match, Modrić sustained an injury which was feared to be a repeat of the broken leg injury he sustained in the 2009–10 season. However scans later revealed there to be no damage. On 28 November, in a home match against Liverpool, Modrić scored a solitary goal, but it was later credited as an own goal by Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel. He also scored in Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Stoke on 9 April 2011, as well as converting a penalty at Anfield on 15 May 2011 to complete a 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Modric played 32 Premier League games in the 2010/11 season, scoring 3 goals and making two assists, as well as making the highest average number of passes per game for Spurs, with 62.5, at a an accuracy rate of 87%. At the end of the season, Modrić was voted the Tottenham Hotspur Fan's Player of the Year.In the summer of 2011, Modrić was heavily pursued by cross-town rivals, Chelsea. Chelsea initially made a bid of £22 million followed by a bid of £27 million, both of which were rejected. Tottenham president, Daniel Levy, stated that Tottenham would not sell Modrić at any price. After the failed bids, Modrić announced that he would welcome a move across London and that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Daniel Levy that the club would entertain offers from a "big club." Speculation continued throughout the summer transfer window, eventually culminating in Modrić refusing to play in Tottenham's opening match against Manchester United (a 3-0 loss), stating that his "head was not in the right place" as he continued to force a move to Chelsea. On the final day of the transfer deadline Chelsea made an offer of £40 million, which was rejected by Daniel Levy. After failing to secure a transfer, Harry Redknapp told Luka Modric to focus on his playing and he has been named as a starter. He scored his first goal of the season for Tottenham in a 4-0 home win against Liverpool.
At his last home game with Dinamo at Maksimir Stadium, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners. He finished his impressive six year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of 31 goals and 29 assists in four seasons, contributing most notably in the 2007–08 season when Dinamo became champions by a 28 point margin and won the Croatian cup in the same year.
Tottenham Hotspur
Modrić agreed transfer terms with Tottenham Hotspur on 26 April 2008. He was the first of many summer signings for coach Juande Ramos, and also the Premier League's first summer transfer. After signing a 6 year contract from summer 2008, Tottenham confirmed that the total fee paid was £16.5 million, equalling the club's record fee set by Darren Bent's move in 2007.Modrić made his debut for Tottenham on 28 July 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Norwich City. He played 45 minutes at Carrow Road during the 5–1 victory. His competitive debut was on 16 August in the 2–1 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Spurs' first match of the 2008–09 Premier League season.
Initially, Spurs used him as a deep-lying playmaker in central midfield, usually alongside Jermaine Jenas, to utilise his passing range, vision and creativity to optimum effect. However, then-manager Juande Ramos deployed him in an extremely deep defensive midfield role, which his slight frame was not physically suited to. Before joining Tottenham, his greatest success had come in a more advanced, attacking left-sided role. Playing him out of position limited his influence. Modrić also suffered from a niggling knee injury early in his Spurs career and he had to endure being labelled as a "light-weight" by sections of the media. This coincided with his poor form, knocking his confidence and making him even less effective, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia manager Slaven Bilić.
With the appointment of current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, Modrić was given a more familiar advanced attacking role as a central or left-sided midfielder, which had been a problem position for Tottenham in the past. In the first few months of the 2008–2009 season until the 2009 January transfer window, Modrić assumed a far more advanced role as a second striker behind one of Tottenham's two recognised first-team strikers, Roman Pavlyuchenko or Darren Bent. This allowed Modrić to have a far more attacking influence on the team and also utilise his footballing brain more productively, as in the thrilling 4–4 draw with arch rivals Arsenal on 26 October 2008. Modrić's impact in this position was well demonstrated with Tottenham's 4th and equalising goal when he collected the ball on his chest from Tom Huddlestone, and after a few controlled touches, unleashed a long-range half-volley which, courtesy of a deflection, hit the post and set up Aaron Lennon for a tap-in. Since this performance, his form improved considerably for Spurs, coinciding with his club's vastly improved form in the league. Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side, setting out plans to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker.
During the January 2009 transfer window, Tottenham re-signed strikers Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane, allowing Modrić to return to midfield while retaining his advanced attacking role as a roaming left-sided midfielder. Spurs' other major signing, tough-tackling Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios, bolstered Spurs' central midfield and gave Modrić more freedom in attack, while Palacios operated as a more defensive midfielder. Using him in his former position from Dinamo Zagreb days made him even more effective with inspirational performances against Hull City, Stoke City and most notably, a match-winning performance against Chelsea.
Modrić scored his first Tottenham goal in a 2–2 draw against Spartak Moscow during the UEFA Cup group stages on the 18 December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United in Spurs' next match, three days later.Ahead of the 2009–10 season, ex-Spurs captain Jamie Redknapp said of Modrić "[He's] a hell of a player and a manager’s dream, so I am told. He trains like a demon and never complains, will work with and without the ball on the field and can beat a defender with a trick or with a pass. He could get into any team in the top four and he’ll be even better this season." On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win over Birmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury. The following day it was confirmed that Modrić had broken his leg, sustaining a fracture to his right fibula and was expected to be out for six weeks. However, on 31 October 2009 Spurs' manager Harry Redknapp announced a delay to Modrić's return. Modrić finally returned to training after numerous delays on 8 December in a match against Grays Athletic. He made his first start in the Premiership for four months in the London derby against West Ham United which Spurs won 2–0, with Modrić making a telling contribution by scoring with the leg he broke in the 11th minute.
On 30 May 2010, Modrić was awarded with a new six-year contract, that runs until 2016. Modrić said after the deal; "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them. Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere. Last season's Top 4 finish was an indication of where we are as a Club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs". On 11 September 2010, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a 27th minute strike which put Tottenham 1–0 up away at West Bromwich Albion. The match finished in a 1–1 draw after Chris Brunt equalised. During the match, Modrić sustained an injury which was feared to be a repeat of the broken leg injury he sustained in the 2009–10 season. However scans later revealed there to be no damage. On 28 November, in a home match against Liverpool, Modrić scored a solitary goal, but it was later credited as an own goal by Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel. He also scored in Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Stoke on 9 April 2011, as well as converting a penalty at Anfield on 15 May 2011 to complete a 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Modric played 32 Premier League games in the 2010/11 season, scoring 3 goals and making two assists, as well as making the highest average number of passes per game for Spurs, with 62.5, at a an accuracy rate of 87%. At the end of the season, Modrić was voted the Tottenham Hotspur Fan's Player of the Year.In the summer of 2011, Modrić was heavily pursued by cross-town rivals, Chelsea. Chelsea initially made a bid of £22 million followed by a bid of £27 million, both of which were rejected. Tottenham president, Daniel Levy, stated that Tottenham would not sell Modrić at any price. After the failed bids, Modrić announced that he would welcome a move across London and that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Daniel Levy that the club would entertain offers from a "big club." Speculation continued throughout the summer transfer window, eventually culminating in Modrić refusing to play in Tottenham's opening match against Manchester United (a 3-0 loss), stating that his "head was not in the right place" as he continued to force a move to Chelsea. On the final day of the transfer deadline Chelsea made an offer of £40 million, which was rejected by Daniel Levy. After failing to secure a transfer, Harry Redknapp told Luka Modric to focus on his playing and he has been named as a starter. He scored his first goal of the season for Tottenham in a 4-0 home win against Liverpool.
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