Swansea fans have been buzzing since the news broke last week that Real Madrid and Croatia legend and former Ballon D’Or winner Luka Modric has decided to become a co-owner and investor in the club.
While the 39-year-old midfield maestro’s involvement may be regarded as a pass out of left field, it has certainly got Swans fans honking with excitement that his expertise and status may provide the X-factor needed to help catapult the club back to the Premier League.
Modric has said his goal is to “help build an exciting future” for the club, and while his stake is thought to be just a lowly 5%, many will be hoping his expertise and contacts can help lift the club from its current mid-table comfort to Championship title challengers, and perhaps beyond.
For Swansea fans, Modric’s choice to invest may seem obvious (after all, where else would you choose to invest your hard-earned millions!) but it has left others wondering why a player of such incomparable status, who is still an elite player for Los Blancos, would choose to dip his toes into club ownership on Wales’ south coast.
Elite football stars are now among the highest-earning athletes out there, and Modric joins a list of current and former greats – including David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Kylian Mbappe – who have chosen to branch out into club ownership. Already a keen investor in property and business with a fortune of around £75 million, Modric will be hoping to further feather his nest with Swansea success, but he is also believed to be passionate about the project, and keen to learn more about the business side of the game as he nears his inevitable retirement.
Swans owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen have reportedly been looking for an investor to increase the club’s profile and bring footballing ‘nous’. Apparently, when it was discovered the Croatia veteran had an interest in club ownership, Swansea made an approach. With his considerable football experience, Modric can hopefully use his influence and connections in the game, not to mention his commercial draw, to drive Swansea’s ambitions.
While Modric only played against Swansea on two occasions during his playing career (for Tottenham during the 2011/12 season), he is believed to have been attracted by the club’s stature, strong supporter base and free-flowing, possession-based style of play (the famous ‘Swansea Way’!), not to mention the Swans’ memorable League Cup victory in 2013 and strong European campaign in 2013/14.
Modric is intimately acquainted with success and, despite being voted the worst La Liga transfer of 2012, he has since silenced all critics to become the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history, winning six Champions League titles, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, and five Spanish Super Cups. Still the captain of the Croatia national team, Modrić has amassed vast experience over his 186 caps and five World Cups.
Obviously, it would be fantastic to see the Croatia playmaker lining up for the Swans in midfield next season, but unfortunately that’s probably not realistic. While Modric’s contract does run out this summer, he still has one eye on the 2026 World Cup and would doubtless have offers from other elite clubs, even if Real Madrid decide not to renew his contract.
Modric also isn’t likely to be a hands-on figure in the day-to-day running of the club, and with a football career to focus on he probably won’t be a regular fixture in the stands at the Swansea.com Stadium for the time being either.
So how can he help? A cash injection for the club is certainly welcome, particularly after last season’s financial losses, but what Modric really offers is global reach and recognition, a chance for the club to “garner global attention” that will help to raise Swansea’s profile as they seek to find a way to the top of the ultra-competitive Championship. It also offers the opportunity to attract better sponsorship and commercial deals, and maybe higher quality transfer targets too (if not established stars, then perhaps a few promising Croatian prospects with real potential at the least).
With a season to finish at Real, and no indication that he intends to end his outstanding playing career just yet, Modric’s association is more likely to be advisory and arm’s length. That said, he is still certain to receive a very warm welcome to the Swansea.com stadium (assuming he makes the trip from sunny Spain).
With Wrexham on the ascendency through the leagues following its purchase by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in 2021, and now Modric’s investment in Swansea, Welsh clubs are proving to be popular projects for the rich and famous. With Cardiff City almost certainly bound for relegation to the First Division (barring a miracle), fans of the beleaguered Bluebirds must be hoping they will be the next club to benefit from a bit of star quality. Sure, they don’t have the swagger, panache and pedigree of my beloved Swans, but at least the club might be a cheap investment opportunity once they drop to the lower leagues!
Swansea may not have made the playoffs this year, but fans will be hoping that Modric’s incredible pedigree can rub off on the team and help build momentum for a promotion push next season. I for one wish him and the Club every success!
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David Little is a Partner at Bishop & Sewell in our expert Sports Law and Corporate & Commercial teams.
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The above is accurate as at 15 April 2025.
The information above may be subject to change.
The content of this note should not be considered legal advice, and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
