OFFICIAL: Luka Modric to leave Real Madrid at end of season

The confirmation from Real Madrid has arrived. Luka Modric will not continue at the club beyond this season, with Saturday's La Liga finale against Real Sociedad being his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu as a Real Madrid player.

"Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Luka Modric have agreed to end an unforgettable period as a player of our club at the end of the Club World Cup that our team will play from 18 June in the United States," reads a statement from Los Blancos.

With his contract expiring in June of this year, earlier reports informed that the club were considering extending Modric's stay upon the request of soon-to-arrive manager Xabi Alonso, who was in favour of keeping the 39-year-old for another year.

However, the 15-time Champions League winners have gone against Alonso's wishes and not offered Modric a fresh deal. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner will play with Madrid in the upcoming Club World Cup before officially bidding farewell to the club.

"Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of the greatest legends of our club and world football," continued Madrid's statement. "Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012 and has been an essential player in one of the most brilliant eras in our history.

"In the 13 seasons in which he has defended our shield, he has won 28 titles: 6 European Cups, 6 Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 2 King's Cups and 5 Spanish Super Cups."

The Merengues will pay tribute to Modric in his last home game this weekend. "The Santiago Bernabeu will pay tribute to him this Saturday on the occasion of our team's last league match," concluded the statement.