Real Madrid new boy hails Spurs fans

Luka Modric has thanked Tottenham fans and former team-mates for his time in London. Photo credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS

Tuesday, August 28, 2012
12:05 PM

Luka Modric says he enjoyed his time at Tottenham

Luka Modric has thanked Tottenham fans for his time at White Hart Lane after moving to Real Madrid in a £33 million, five-year deal.

The Croatian was signed by Spurs in 2008 from Dinamo Zagreb for £16.5 million and was highly influential under former manager Harry Redknapp.

With Modric pulling the strings, Spurs secured two top-four finishes in the Barclays Premier League and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 2010.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder also impressed during their European campaign, alerting Chelsea and Manchester United who were unsuccessful in attempts to sign him.

However, Spurs’ failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League and the interest of Real Madrid meant his time at White Hart Lane was over.

After putting pen to paper on his move to the La Liga champions, Modric was quick to praise his former club.

“I spent four incredible years there,” he said, adding: ”I would like to thank everyone in the club, the people who helped me in London, in the Tottenham club.

“I want to thank the fans, because they treated me very well, they gave me a lot of affection and respect… it was a mutual feeling.

“I want to thank my team-mates too. Thanks to them I’m here now, and thanks to Tottenham as a club as well. I only have good memories from over there.”