Luka Modrić, the 39-year-old Croatian football maestro and Real Madrid midfielder, has stunned the football world by agreeing to become a minority owner of Swansea City, a Welsh club competing in the EFL Championship.
Known for his illustrious career, including winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or and six Champions League titles with Real Madrid, Modrić’s decision to invest in Swansea marks a surprising off-field venture as he approaches the twilight of his playing career.
This move, first reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on April 14, 2025, has sparked widespread intrigue among fans and analysts alike, with many seeing it as a strategic step for Modrić to prepare for life after football while still contributing on the pitch.
Despite this significant business move, Modrić remains steadfast in his commitment to his playing career at Real Madrid.
The Croatian captain, who joined the Spanish giants in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur, has made 583 appearances and lifted 28 trophies over his 13-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, his contract with Real Madrid is set to expire at the end of the 2024-2025 season, and recent reports gathered by AhotorSports suggest the club might allow him to leave as a free agent in the summer of 2025—a decision that has raised questions about his long-term future in Madrid.
Modrić, however, has been vocal about his desire to retire at Real Madrid, a dream he reiterated just last month, saying, “Yes, I’d like to retire at Real Madrid, it would be a dream for me.”
His investment in Swansea will not affect his professional playing career, allowing him to balance both his on-field ambitions and his new role as a club owner.
Swansea City, founded in 1912 as Swansea Town, has a storied history of navigating the highs and lows of English football. The club, now competing in the EFL Championship—the second tier of English football—has experienced fluctuating fortunes over the decades.
After enjoying a stint in the Premier League from 2011 to 2018, Swansea were relegated and have since been striving to return to the top flight. Their 2023-2024 season ended in a 14th-place finish under manager Luke Williams, who was sacked in February 2025, with Alan Sheehan stepping in as caretaker manager.
As of April 2025, Swansea sit 12th in the Championship table, well out of playoff contention, prompting the club to seek new avenues for growth and stability. Modrić’s involvement as a minority owner could provide the fresh perspective and global appeal Swansea need to revitalize their ambitions.
Modrić’s decision to invest in Swansea is not without precedent among football stars. In recent years, players like Kylian Mbappé, who acquired an 80% stake in Ligue 2 side SM Caen in 2024, and N’Golo Kanté, who became chairman of Belgian third-tier club Royal Excelsior Virton in 2023, have similarly ventured into club ownership while still active on the pitch.
LaLiga and FIFA regulations permit such investments, provided the player’s club and the owned club do not compete in the same competition, making Modrić’s move to Swansea legally seamless.
His extensive experience in British football—having played 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur before joining Real Madrid—could also prove invaluable for Swansea, offering insights into the English game and potentially attracting talent or sponsorship to the Welsh club.
