Luka Modrić (born 9 September, 1985 in Zadar) is a Croatian football midfielder. He currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, and for the Croatian national team.
Modrić's childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence. After showing promise in hometown club's (NK Zadar) 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 at Dinamo Zagreb they won three consecutive league titles and a number of domestic cups, resulting in Modrić being named the Prva HNL "Player of the Year" in 2007.
He is a distant cousin of fellow footballer Mark Viduka.
During the war, Modrić and his family lived in the town of Zaton. At the age of six, he was forced to flee the area with his family. He lost his grandfather in the conflict while the family were living in a hotel in Zadar, with his father remaining in the army. Modrić began to play football under difficult circumstances before his father returned and used the little money the family had to enroll him in the local sporting academy. After displaying some talent, he went on to sign with Dinamo Zagreb as a 17 year old in 2002.
After a season with Dinamo Zagreb's youth side he was loaned out in 2003 to Zrinjski Mostar in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was during this time that he established his versatile style of play and becoming the Bosnian League Player of the Year while still just 18 years old. He later claimed that "someone who can play in the Bosnian league can play anywhere", referring to the physical demands of the league. The following year he was again loaned out, this time to Inter Zaprešić in his home country. He spent only a single season with them, helping them earn promotion to the Croatian first league[6] and gaining the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award in 2004. He was subsequently recalled by Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.
Dinamo Zagreb
Modrić then signed his first long-term contract with Dinamo until 2015. After a goalless debut season, he managed to gain a place in Dinamo's first team, contributing to their league championship finish with 7 goals in 31 matches. During this time, Modrić rapidly established his primary role as a playmaker or designated left winger in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the 2006/07 season Dinamo again won the league with Modrić providing a similar contribution. He was also awarded 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 playoff stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the away fixture against AFC Ajax in a game that eventually ended 1-1 pending extra time. Dinamo won the game 3-2 after a brace from teammate Mario Mandzukic secured their spot via away goals.However, Dinamo Zagreb failed to advance beyond the group stage.
At his last home game at Maksimir Stadium with Dinamo, Modrić was given a standing ovation and supportive banners were displayed by the fans . He finished his 6 year tenure at Dinamo with 31 goals and 29 assists throughout 4 seasons, most notably contributing to a first place finish in the 2007/08 season as Dinamo became champions, this time by a twenty-eight point margin. They also won the Croatian cup in the same year.
Tottenham Hotspur
Modrić agreed terms with Tottenham on April 26, 2008 subject to receiving a work permit. 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 which began in the summer of 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 in the 2-1 loss against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Spurs' first match of the 2008-09 Premier League season on 16 August.
Under the reign of new manager Harry Redknapp, Modrić now assumes the role as a supporting forward to Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko. He 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.
International career
Modrić's first international experience came at youth level, playing for the Croatian U-17, U-19 and under-21 teams.
He made his senior international debut in a friendly victory against Argentina on March 1, 2006 in Basel. At the 2006 World Cup, he made two substitute appearances in the group fixtures against Japan and Australia.
It was not until the appointment of new manager Slaven Bilić that Modrić earned recognition at international level, scoring his first goal in Croatia's 2-0 friendly win over Italy played on August 16, 2006 in Livorno. His performances ensured him a regular place in the international side, and he gave an impressive showing in Croatia's successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which recorded home and away victories against England.
Much was expected of the young midfielder often dubbed the Croatian Cruyff.
With high expectations, Modrić scored Croatia's first goal of Euro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1-0 victory against Austria on June 8, 2008. It was the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in European Championship history.[24] He continued to impress at the tournament as he was named UEFA Man of the Match in their next game, in which Croatia defeated one of the pre-tournament favorites and eventual finalists, Germany.
In the quarter-final against Turkey, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by the veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber and managed to immediately cross the ball to teammate Ivan Klasnić, leading to the first goal of the game with only a minute remaining of extra time. However, Semih Şentürk equalized for Turkey almost immediately. With advancement based on a penalty shootout, Modrić failed to score the first penalty as his kick went off target. Turkey went on to win the shootout 3-1.At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to ever achieve this honour - the first being Davor Šuker.
Modrić can play with both feet, combined with his swift offensive positioning off the ball. His complex game led him to constant success in the Croatian division, eventually leading to justifiable recognition as he was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in July 2008. His primary role is as a central playmaker as it allows him to combine his ability and sustain a controlled midfield. During his time at Dinamo Zagreb, he established his offensive suitability to play as a supporting attacker behind deep lying forwards, and eventually play his game towards his preferred left wing.On his introduction into the Croatian squad, Modrić linked up well with Niko Kovač as he also demonstrated his defensive ability. Often admiring his flexible ability, Bilić accomplished large success when experimenting with Modrić.Most notably however, Modrić formed what became called a "telepathic understanding" with Eduardo da Silva as they played together at Dinamo, Inter Zaprešić and the national team.
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