Real Madrid's 10 best signings of the decade (2010-2019)

#4 Luka Modric (2012)

Luka Modric is arguably Real's best signing of the last decade

Signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012 for a fee of £30m, Luka Modric has gone onto become one of Real Madrid’s most successful players in recent history, and in 2018, became the first man other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to be awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in more than a decade.

The Croatian midfield maestro struggled for form in his initial months at the Bernabeu but found a turning point in Real’s Champions League clash with Manchester United in March 2013. With Real a goal behind in the second leg at Old Trafford, Modric was brought into the fray as a substitute – and equalised with a 25-yard shot before helping Los Blancos to a 1-2 victory.

From there, the Croatian went from strength to strength at Real, being their most consistent midfielder across the decade and forming tremendous partnerships in the centre of the field with both Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos.

Current rumours suggest he’s about to depart the Bernabeu at the age of 34, and if that’s the case, he’ll leave as a legend – with over 300 appearances and 4 Champions League titles to his name, as well as that Ballon d’Or victory. He’s arguably Real’s best signing of the entire decade.