Spurs Sign Modric

[Rebelred]

Big signing for them, thought this fella might end up at Arsenal or Liverpool over the summer.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0426/modricl.html

Tottenham Hotspur have won the race to sign highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric for a fee believed to be £15.8million (euros 20 million).

The Barclays Premier League club have agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, who was reportedly courted by many of Europe's top sides, and he will leave Dinamo Zagreb for White Hart Lane this summer subject to him passing a medical.

Modric must also obtain a work permit but that will be a formality given his status as one of the continent's most coveted talents.

After making his name in the Bosnian league as a teenager, Modric moved to Croatian club Inter Zapresic before joining Dinamo in 2005.

He made his debut for Croatia a year later and has gone on to win more than 20 caps for Slaven Bilic's side - including the home and away victories over England.

His silky, two-footed passing caught the eye in both the England clashes and reports linked him with possible transfers to the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and, most recently, Newcastle United.

The signing of Modric is a major coup for Spurs manager Juande Ramos and the Tottenham hierarchy, who needed to make a statement of intent after a hugely frustrating season for the north London club.

Spurs were widely tipped to break the stranglehold of the big four before the current season began - most likely at the expense of bitter rivals Arsenal - but under former boss Martin Jol they made a disastrous start to fall way off the pace for even a UEFA Cup spot.

Since his arrival in October, Ramos has overseen a major improvement in fortunes, including a Carling Cup triumph which has guaranteed European football for next season.

Spurs' season appeared to be fizzling out disappointingly with just a single win in their last seven league games, and a swingeing overhaul of the squad was predicted for this summer.

But any discontent among supporters at the team's stuttering form is sure to be alleviated by the imminent arrival of Modric who appears certain to be one of several new arrivals at White Hart Lane over the coming months.

[dotty]

Big signing for them, thought this fella might end up at Arsenal or Liverpool over the summer.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0426/modricl.html

Tottenham Hotspur have won the race to sign highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric for a fee believed to be £15.8million (euros 20 million).

The Barclays Premier League club have agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, who was reportedly courted by many of Europe's top sides, and he will leave Dinamo Zagreb for White Hart Lane this summer subject to him passing a medical.

Modric must also obtain a work permit but that will be a formality given his status as one of the continent's most coveted talents.

After making his name in the Bosnian league as a teenager, Modric moved to Croatian club Inter Zapresic before joining Dinamo in 2005.

He made his debut for Croatia a year later and has gone on to win more than 20 caps for Slaven Bilic's side - including the home and away victories over England.

His silky, two-footed passing caught the eye in both the England clashes and reports linked him with possible transfers to the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and, most recently, Newcastle United.

The signing of Modric is a major coup for Spurs manager Juande Ramos and the Tottenham hierarchy, who needed to make a statement of intent after a hugely frustrating season for the north London club.

Spurs were widely tipped to break the stranglehold of the big four before the current season began - most likely at the expense of bitter rivals Arsenal - but under former boss Martin Jol they made a disastrous start to fall way off the pace for even a UEFA Cup spot.

Since his arrival in October, Ramos has overseen a major improvement in fortunes, including a Carling Cup triumph which has guaranteed European football for next season.

Spurs' season appeared to be fizzling out disappointingly with just a single win in their last seven league games, and a swingeing overhaul of the squad was predicted for this summer.

But any discontent among supporters at the team's stuttering form is sure to be alleviated by the imminent arrival of Modric who appears certain to be one of several new arrivals at White Hart Lane over the coming months.

bit of a coup alright,big fee too,they say there will be an overhaul of the current squad but they will have to reclaim some of the outlay,bent will be shown the door i reckon,will berby follow?

[afeencalleddan]

Hmmmm, Modric could be a great signing but I'm not convinced he fits into the orthodox 4-4-2 formation that Ramos likes to play. It'll be interesting to see what other signings Spurs make if they want to build a midfield around him and whether Ramos will change his style slightly.

[ebenezer]

TBH, I thought Ramos would raid Sevilla.

But then again, who in their right mind would leave a top team for a mid-table side who concede 25 goals per game. :cool:

[scrumpy]

Modric will set the premier league alight next year. I like the cut of the Spurs side especially if they can keep Ledley King fit I can see them as a viable alternative to the big 4

[afeencalleddan]

TBH, I thought Ramos would raid Sevilla.

But then again, who in their right mind would leave a top team for a mid-table side who concede 25 goals per game. :cool:He might do yet. It wouldn't surprise me if Christian Poulsen was signed too. If Spurs had the right personnel and the right setup in midfield then they wouldn't concede so much. They really have fuck all in there at the moment. Most of them will be out the door I'd say. Lennon will probably be kept seeing as he's the kind of orthodox winger that Juande likes but he'll need to improve a bit.

[ebenezer]

He might do yet. It wouldn't surprise me if Christian Poulsen was signed too. If Spurs had the right personnel and the right setup in midfield then they wouldn't concede so much. They really have fuck all in there at the moment. Most of them will be out the door I'd say. Lennon will probably be kept seeing as he's the kind of orthodox winger that Juande likes but he'll need to improve a bit.

Lennon is certainly no Jesus Navas.

I'm a big fan of Poulsen.

[afeencalleddan]

Lennon is certainly no Jesus Navas.Definitely not. He annoys the hell out of me a lot of the time but he's worth holding onto for a little while yet. If somebody could knock a bit of composure into him then there could make a big difference.

[Mr.Mister]

Tottenham will be the next leeds.

[gooner]

Press - So Luka what made you decide to sign for Tottenham Hotspur?

Modric - They are a great club with a great pedigree and its makes me so proud to play for the team currently top of the English Premier League.

Press - (collectively laughing) No seriously Luka, with reported interested from the likes of the 'Top Four', what made you choose Tottenham?

Modric - Like I said... its because we're top of the League and I'm really looking forward to automatic qualification to the Champions League proper, something I couldn't get at Dinamo. I know the rest of the 'Top Four' (Newcastle, Wigan and Middlesbrough) were in for me, they're all great clubs but with Tottenham located so close to the home of my great friend Eduardo (currently playing for Championship side Arsenal FC) it was an easy decision to make.

Press - (collectively crying in laughter) Well Luka, maybe you can answer this question seriously. What are your hopes for Tottenham next season, do you believe you have the quality to challenge for a European place?

Modric - Seriously, I am being serious! I fully expect us to win the League, this AND next season! European qualification shouldn't be in question!

Press - (collectively rolling around in fits of laughter) Surely with Tottenham currently occupying 11th place in the League with 3 games to go you can't be serious about winning the Title?

Modric - What is wrong with you, haven't you seen the it?! Hey Daniel (Levy), pass me the paper please... Look, look at the table!

P GD PTS
Tottenham 35 6 42
Newcastle 35 -16 42
Wigan 35 -17 36
Middlesbrough 35 -18 36
Sunderland 35 -21 36
Bolton 35 -20 32
Reading 35 -28 32
Birmingham 35 -17 31
Fulham 35 -26 27
Derby 35 -59 11

Press (collectively wetting themselves) - Luka, thats the bottem half of the Premier League table, didn't Daniel (Levy) tell you that?

Modric - WHAT!? No he did not!!! Daniel? Daniel? Where's he gone?

Press (silently holding back tears of laughter) - We're sorry Luka, you've been done mate!

Luka - Nooooooooooooooooooo ooooooo!

[scrumpy]

Tottenham can have a real impact next year with a couple more signings like Modric and prob another 2 centre halves as understudies to King and Woodgate and they'd be a tough team to beat

[rockyoc]

they could do with signing a decent left winger and a holding midfielder. then maybe they can talk about europe.

[afeencalleddan]

they could do with signing a decent left winger and a holding midfielder. then maybe they can talk about europe.Yup.

[RedCityKid]

Yup.

I think of our current squad only the following players are capable of helpig usbreak the top 4

1.Hutton
2.Bale
3.King/Woodgate only gonna count them as 1 player as they miss nso many games

4.Modric
5.Keane (I'm being genrous here)
6.Berbatov (even though hes prob off in the summer)

So basically we could do with a keeper, centre back, defensive central midfielder, right and left wingers and if berba goes another striker. Unlikely methinks

[legend76]

great signing, but I'd like to see them sign at least two more midfielders

[afeencalleddan]

I think of our current squad only the following players are capable of helpig usbreak the top 4

1.Hutton
2.Bale
3.King/Woodgate only gonna count them as 1 player as they miss nso many games

4.Modric
5.Keane (I'm being genrous here)
6.Berbatov (even though hes prob off in the summer)

So basically we could do with a keeper, centre back, defensive central midfielder, right and left wingers and if berba goes another striker. Unlikely methinksYeah, you're pretty much spot on there I'd say. Even at that, I'm not so sure about Ramos's style suiting the Premiership. To put it bluntly he may need to be more dour than he was with Sevilla unless he manages to assemble a very talented team with a strong spine of players.

[dotty]

Yeah, you're pretty much spot on there I'd say. Even at that, I'm not so sure about Ramos's style suiting the Premiership. To put it bluntly he may need to be more dour than he was with Sevilla unless he manages to assemble a very talented team with a strong spine of players.

a fit king/woodgate is as good a centre half partnership in the PL,but highly unlikely both will play together for any great length of time.

spurs desperately need two wingers,lennon is still young but doesnt seem to be progressing as well as hoped,a top class mascherano style midfielder to offer some sort of protection to the back 4 would be a godsend.

[afeencalleddan]

spurs desperately need two wingers,lennon is still young but doesnt seem to be progressing as well as hoped,a top class mascherano style midfielder to offer some sort of protection to the back 4 would be a godsend.Poulsen might sign in the summer.

What kind of season has Gamst Pederson had? I've seen very little of Blackburn.

[dotty]

Poulsen might sign in the summer.

What kind of season has Gamst Pederson had? I've seen very little of Blackburn.

hit and miss from what ive seen,form has picked a bit last month or so but not the player we show two seasons ago.

[bumble]

Anybody here about the pre-season friendly between Celtic and spurs.Can't find info anywhere.