MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid puso fin a una novela que duró todo el verano y contrató el lunes al croata Luka Modric, un volante creativo que se espera ayude al equipo a salir del pozo en el que cayó en el arranque de la temporada.

Modric pasó el examen físico el lunes y se encaminaba al estadio Santiago Bernabéu para firmar un contrato que lo unirá al equipo merengue por cinco temporadas. No se informó el monto de la transferencia, pero se cree que el club pagó 35 millones de euros (44 millones de dólares) por su pase al Tottenham.

Real Madrid perdió el domingo 2-1 ante Getafe y, con un punto en dos partidos, ha hecho su peor arranque de temporada desde 1973.

Modric tiene 26 años y jugó 160 partidos con Tottenham, anotando 17 goles. El club londinense lo adquirió al Dínamo de Zagreb en el 2008 en 21 millones de euros (32,7 millones de dólares). El croata ha marcado ocho goles en 57 partidos con su selección.

"Luka ha jugado muy bien con nosotros. Si bien hubiéramos preferido que no se fuese, nos complace que haya ido al Real Madrid", expresó el presidente del Tottenham Daniel Levy, quien había logrado retener al mediocampista la temporada pasada pese al interés del Chelsea.

La contratación de Modric podría representar la partida de Kaká, si se llega a un acuerdo con algún club antes de que venza el plazo para las transferencias el 31 de agosto. Circulan versiones de que el Milan está interesado en el brasileño.

Modric podría debutar en su nuevo club el miércoles ante Barcelona, en el partido de vuelta de la Supercopa. Barcelona ganó 3-2 el choque de ida la semana pasada en el Camp Nou y la revancha se jugará en el Bernabéu.

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  • Alexis Sanchez

    Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez from Chile, left celebrates with various team mates after scoring against Atletico de Madrid's during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • Lionel Messi

    FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Lionel Messi, Emiliano Insua

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, right, is challenged by Atletico de Madrid's Emiliano Insua during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • Andres Iniesta, Tiago Mendes

    FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, right, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Jordi Alba

    FC Barcelona's Jordi Alba, right, celebrates Atletico de Madrid's Gabi Fernandez on goal with team mates during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Andres Iniesta, Tiago Mendes, Adrian Lopez

    FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, centre, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, and Adrian Lopez, right,during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Diego Simeone

    Atletico de Madrid's coach Diego Simeone of Argentina reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain Sunday May 12, 2013. Barcelona won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Paul White)

  • David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Cristian Tello

    FC Barcelona's David Villa, left, Cesc Fabregas, center, and Cristian Tello celebrate Atletico de Madrid's Gabi Fernandez own goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Lionel Messi, Tiago Mendes

    FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, in action with Atletico de Madrid's Tiago Mendes from Portugal, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Jugadores del FC Barcelona reciben honores del Atlético de Madrid antes del juego en el estadio Vicente Calderón en Madrid el domingo 12 de mayo de 2013. Tras proclamarse campeón el sábado sin jugar, el Barcelona celebró con una remontada por 2-1 la conquista de su 22do título de la liga española. (AP Photo/Chema Rey, Pool)

  • Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema

    Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria from Argentina, right, celebrates his goal with Karim Benzema from France, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Angel di Maria of Real Madrid celebrates with Alvaro Morata after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Kaka (L) and Alvaro Morata (#29) of Real Madrid celebrate after Real scored their 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Radamel Falcao of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Kaka (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Diego Godin of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Kaka (R) vies with andAtletico Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Raul Garcia (L) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Angel di Maria of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez (R) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's players celebrate their second score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's players celebrate their second score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao controls the ball during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez (L) vies with Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Kaka during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper Diego Lopez (L) catches the ball during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball against Radamel Falcao (L) of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe (R) vies with Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) and Atletico Madrid's midfielder Mario Suarez during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian defender Filipe Luis (L) vies with Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (4th L) scores during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's midfielder Raul Garcia (L) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho reacts during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe celebrates his team's first score during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (C) celebrates his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas warms up before the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas looks on before the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa celebrates his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's midfielder Gabi (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao Garcia (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Brazilian defender Filipe Luis (C) and Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin (R) during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Colombian forward Radamel Falcao (3rd L) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa (L) vies with Real Madrid's defender Nacho Fernandez during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe reacts during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 27: Pepe of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at estadio Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)