Real Madrid have announced a new contract tying midfielder Luka Modric to the club until 2018.
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Modric joined Madrid late in the summer 2012 transfer window after a long-running transfer saga was concluded with former club Tottenham receiving a reported 37 million euros.
During his first two seasons in Spain he has won a Champions League trophy, taking the corner from which Sergio Ramos headed a crucial equalisier in injury time against Ateletico Madrid in May, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
While criticised by some local pundits during his first season at the club, Modric has now become a firm favourite at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and has six goals in 106 matches for the club.
News of the new deal was made public in a club statement the morning after the Croatia international had started Madrid's 1-1 Spanish Supercopa first leg draw with Atletico.
"Real Madrid C. F. announces the extension of Luka Modric's contract, linking him to the club for the next four seasons," the statement said.
Los dos años de Modric en el Real Madrid http://t.co/bL7MnYMPGA #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/EBC5ZTtn7B
- Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) August 20, 2014
The announcement came amid speculation that Madrid would sell at least one midfielder this summer, with Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira thought most likely to leave. Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly keen to raise funds after the arrivals of World Cup stars Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez for a combined 105 million euros.