Swansea City is drawing attention well beyond the Championship this week, as Real Madrid legend Luka Modric prepares to join the club’s ownership group. The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder, widely regarded as one of the game’s greats, is poised to purchase a minority stake in the Welsh side, according to local media reports.
While Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has brought glitz to Wrexham, it seems Swansea is embracing some star appeal of its own — albeit from the world of football royalty. Modric will join American investors Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris, and Jason Cohen in a move that could bring both financial support and global visibility to the Swans.
Modric remains contracted to Spanish giants Real Madrid until mid-2025, but this foray into club ownership signals the veteran playmaker’s long-term vision for life after football.
The timing of his investment comes as Swansea City grapples with significant financial challenges. The club recently reported a turnover of £21.5 million for the year ending June 30, 2024, according to the BBC. Despite this, the club continues to operate at a loss — a reflection of the harsh economic landscape of the English Football League Championship.
“The board acknowledges that whilst the magnitude of the operational loss is a product of the highly competitive environment within the EFL Championship in which the club currently competes, the club will continue to focus on achieving operational efficiencies,” read a statement from the club’s financial report.
Swansea further highlighted the burden of maintaining two training facilities and the Swansea.com Stadium, while also pointing out the lack of a new financial redistribution deal between the EFL and the Premier League. “The club will continue to be reliant on the support of their ownership group as the main source of funding,” the statement added.
Currently, Swansea sits 12th in the 24-team Championship table, far from the promotion places. With 54 points, they trail joint leaders Leeds United and Burnley — both on 88 — by a wide margin, with just four games remaining in the season.
While a return to the Premier League remains a distant dream for now, Modric’s involvement could herald a new chapter for the Swans. His name alone may not shift league standings, but it certainly raises hopes and eyebrows alike in South Wales.