"I understand a lot of people will be watching me from this point," said Modric. "I spent a few days in London when I signed for Tottenham and a lot of their fans came up to me and said they now had a reason to watch the European finals. But I don't have to feel the pressure. I'm a stubborn person and I think that helps in some ways.

"I've got to this stage by playing my game, so there is no reason to change. People would understand that if they had seen the start of my career in Bosnia. It was rough. I would get hit without mercy by defenders on bare pitches and the referees would turn their heads.

"There can be nothing worse to greet me in England - not even my Croatia team-mate (Vedran) Corluka at Manchester City!"

Modric added: "I know all about the history of the club; Ardiles, Hoddle, Waddle, Gascoigne, Lineker, Klinsmann.

"They also had a manager Juande Ramos) who wanted me a lot. He turned Sevilla into a giant and he can do the same for Tottenham. I know Niko Kranjcar had a year to settle in properly at Portsmouth but I do not think it will take me that long. For one thing, I will have great players around me like Keane and Berbatov. I have not been told he is going, so I hope he stays."