Modrić completes move to Madrid

One of the longest transfer sagas of the summer concluded on Monday morning when Real Madrid CF announced the signing of Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder Luka Modrić on a five-year contract.

Costing in the region of €35m according to reports, Modrić's arrival will bring fresh creativity to Madrid's midfield and ends an impressive four-year stay at White Hart Lane. After signing from GNK Dinamo Zagreb in 2008, the 26-year-old Croatian international established himself as one of the finest playmakers in the Premier League, making 160 appearances for Tottenham and scoring 17 goals.

"I'm very happy, honoured and proud to be at the biggest and best club in the world," he said. "It's amazing for me to be here. I'm ready for anything and I've come here to win a place in the starting lineup. I know that will be hard but I believe I have the qualities needed to play here. I want to help the team win trophies."

Both clubs also announced a partnership agreement as they confirmed the Modrić deal and, a Spurs statement explained, this will involve them "working together in respect of players, coaching, best practices and commercial relationships". Neither club gave details of the fee involved for Modrić, who shone for Croatia in their narrow UEFA EURO 2012 defeat by Spain but has played no part in Tottenham's new campaign under André Villas-Boas.

Madrid president Florentino Pérez told the Merengues website: "The strong relationship and affinity between our two clubs has resulted in the cementing of a longer-term partnership and the successful transfer of Luka Modrić. We are delighted to welcome Luka and look forward to working closely with Tottenham in the coming years."

Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, said: "Luka has been a terrific player for us and, whilst we preferred not to part with him, we are pleased that it is to Real Madrid, a club with which we now look forward to sharing a long and productive partnership."