By Paul Giblin

MOSCOW, Jun 23 (Xinhua) -- Croatian international midfielder, Mateo Kovacic says he is willing to seek a move away from Real Madrid to guarantee more opportunities for first team football.

In an interview published in Spanish sports paper, Diario Marca on Saturday, the 24-year old said: "I want to play more and it's better for me to leave Real Madrid. I love football and being on the grass, so I want the opportunity to be a starter. If I do not play I'm not happy."

Kovacic made 10 starts and had 11 appearances as a substitute in the Spanish league for Real Madrid last season, but his place in the pecking order of central midfielders, Casemiro, Tony Kroos and Luka Modric means he is not first choice in the majority of big games for his club.

Speaking from the Croatian national team training ground at Saint Petersburg, Kovacic explained that although he would rather stay at the club he joined from Inter Milan three seasons ago, "I know it is difficult to play for Real Madrid, especially as I was so young when I came here and for that reason I think it is best I move to another club."

"I understand the situation (at Real Madrid) and that is why I think it is better for me to move," he insisted.

Kovacic has a 50-million-euro buyout clause, which is accessible for the majority of top-flight clubs in England or Spain these days, and his ability to either play as a holding midfield player or to push into a more advance role makes him an attractive proposition in the transfer market.