MADRID — Slumping Real Madrid finally signed Luka Modric from Tottenham to close a summer-long transfer saga, with the creative Croatia midfielder agreeing to a five-year deal with the Spanish champions.

Modric passed his routine medical after arriving in the Spanish capital on Monday, and was en route to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to sign the deal, which comes at a reported cost of €35 million ($44 million) to Madrid.

Sunday's 2-1 loss at Getafe — which confirmed the club's worst start since 1973 — appears to have spurred Madrid into ending the drawn-out chase by securing a player it hopes can help kickstart its season. Financial terms were not disclosed.