MADRID, Aug 27: Real Madrid have agreed to sign Croatia playmaker Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract as the stuttering Spanish champions look to tap into his guile and creativity to get their season back on track.

Modric flew into Madrid on Monday morning and after passing a medical signed a five-year contract in the presence of big-spending Real president Florentino Perez before holding a news conference at the Bernabeu stadium.

Spanish media reported Real would pay 35 million euros ($43.81 million), plus a possible seven million in add-ons, for Modric, who joined Spurs from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008.

The 26-year-old, who made 160 appearances for the north London club scoring 17 goals, was keen to leave White Hart Lane since the end of last season.

“Finally this happened and I am relieved,” Modric told a news conference. “It’s the biggest challenge of my footballing career and I’m sure I will succeed. I have everything I need here, best coach in the world, best players, and I just need to enjoy everything and play my football.”—AP