Real Madrid sign Inter Milan midfielder on six-year deal

Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic has agreed to join Real Madrid from Inter Milan subject to a medical.

The Spanish club said on their website on Tuesday that the 21-year-old had agreed to sign a six-year contract.

No financial details were disclosed but Spanish media reports estimated the transfer fee was around 30 million euros (Sh3.3 billion).

Kovacic is viewed as ideal backup for Croatia teammate Luka Modric and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos at Real Madrid.

He will compete for a place with the likes of Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Casemiro and Lucas Silva although his arrival could prompt the exit of at least one of those players.

Born in Austria, Kovacic came through the Dynamo Zagreb youth academy before joining Inter in January 2013.

He made his debut for Croatia in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia in March 2013 and has won 21 caps including three at last year’s finals in Brazil.