Although having a slight build, Luka Modric has shown that he has been able to develop into a creative midfielder when surrounded by bigger opponents.  His reputation before Tottenham signed him had built to a point where his performances in Euro 2008 enhanced his standing in the game.

Nippy and good dribbling the ball, Luka has the ability to open up opposing defences and can finish as well as create opportunities for others.  .

His appreciation of the work of Juande Ramos was a big factor in him joining Tottenham ahead of other English sides who were chasing him, such as Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester City.  Luka was looking forward to playing in the pacy game featured in the Premier League and his ability on the ball and from free-kicks should produce plenty of openings for whoever plays ahead of him in the team.

While his style was integral to Juande Ramos' play, the team did not function properly around him and it was only when Harry Redknapp came in as manager in October 2008 that Modric flowered and began to exert the influence on the team's play that was hoped for when he was bought from Dinamo Zagreb.

His strength on the ball had dispelled the view that Arsene Wenger held before his transfer to Spurs, that he would wilt in the physical midfields of the Premier League, but he did suffer a broken leg against Birmingham City in 2010 and other injuries that kept him out.  These were mainly a result of his ability forcing fouls on him to allow him to be stopped.

Reminiscent of Ossie Ardiles at his best, Modric proved to be a hard-working, scheming midfielder, who assisted many goals, although his own scoring rate was not what it should have been.

At the end of the 2010-11 season, Chelsea's interest in the player was not matched by their offers for the Croatian, with Spurs pricing him at £40 million.  Manchester United and Real Madrid were also said to be interested, but not at that price.

Modric's attitude to the failure of a transfer, with Spurs having to settle for Europa League action, did not help the cause.  As his attention was not on the start of the season, he did not play in a 0-3 loss at Old Trafford and while he was chosen for the 1-5 home defeat by Manchester City, his part in the game was peripheral at the most.  After that, he settled down to play more of a role in the team's good runs, but he was also there when the side went through a bad patch in the March and April of 2012, which meant Spurs missing out on third place and ending up forth, but back in the Europa League because of a Champions League win for Chelsea, who finished outside the top four.

Once more, Modric played for a move by returning late from Euro 2012 duty and missing the plane to America for the pre-season tour.  Made to train with the youth team, new Head Coach Andre Villas-Boas said that the player wanted to leave and Daniel Levy alone was arranging any deal that may take place.  Rumours about a "gentleman's agreement" with Modric, that if Real came back in for him, then Modric could leave were bandied about, but the Spurs chairman said that if the asking price was met, then he could leave.

Eventually, on 27th August 2012, Real Madrid signed Modric on a five year deal, paying nearly £30 million for him and agreeing to a partnership arrangement with Spurs to share players, coaches and commercial knowledge.  Went through a tough first season, but adapted to the Spanish game well, winning the Spanish Cup and the Champions League in his second season