In a surprising and ambitious step off the pitch, Real Madrid legend Luka Modrić has officially joined Swansea City as a co-owner, marking his first foray into football club ownership. The 39-year-old midfield maestro, widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, has acquired a minority stake in the Welsh side, currently competing in the EFL Championship.

Modrić, who has won six UEFA Champions League titles and the 2018 Ballon d'Or, described the move as an “exciting opportunity” and expressed his desire to help the club grow both on and off the field. “Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase, and the ambition to compete at the highest level,” he said in a statement released by the club. “Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club. My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future.”

The Croatian international joins a largely American-led ownership group that includes key investors such as Andy Coleman, Brett Cravitz, Jason Cohen, and Nigel Morris. The move comes at a time of significant transition for Swansea, with Tom Gorringe recently appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Richard Montague named Director of Football.

On the field, Swansea currently sit 12th in the Championship table, eight points off the playoff positions. Under interim head coach Alan Sheehan, the team has shown signs of revival, collecting 17 points from their last nine matches. Modrić’s investment and public endorsement come as a boost to the club’s efforts to climb back toward the Premier League.

Despite his involvement with Swansea, Modrić remains fully committed to his playing career. He continues to feature in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign and is expected to captain Croatia at the upcoming European Championship.

Swansea CEO Tom Gorringe welcomed Modrić’s involvement, stating that it reflects the club’s growing ambition and appeal. “His endorsement of our long-term vision is an incredible show of confidence. Luka’s experience at the highest level brings invaluable insight and global recognition to our project.”

The investment also arrives at a crucial financial moment for Swansea. The club recently reported a pre-tax loss of £15.2 million in the latest financial year and continues to rely on funding from ownership due to the challenging economic realities of competing in the Championship.

With Luka Modrić now part of the ownership group, Swansea City hope to not only benefit from his global profile but also from his vast footballing knowledge as they push forward in their quest for a return to England’s top flight.