Real Madrid signs James Rodríguez
The 23-year-old Colombian, the top scorer at the Brazil World Cup, moves from Monaco for €75m
Real Madrid has announced it has signed Colombian player James Rodríguez for the next six seasons. The 23-year-old is joining the Spanish club from Monaco for around €75 million, though this could rise to €80 million if a series of objectives outlined in his contract are fulfilled.
He will be presented to fans at the club’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium on Tuesday evening at 8pm.
The top scorer at the recent Brazil World Cup with six goals, Rodríguez caught the eye of Real with his performances for Colombia, helping it reach the quarterfinals. Signed by Monaco for €45 million last season, he had previously excelled at Porto, where he scored 32 goals and provided 21 assists in 107 matches. A player with a big left foot, his arrival could spell the departure of Argentinean Ángel Di María, who is being wooed by Paris Saint-Germain, as well as fewer minutes for Spanish attacking midfielder Isco, as both occupy the same position.
His arrival could spell the departure of Ángel Di María, as well as fewer minutes for Isco
The Colombian will wear the number 10 shirt, which has been left vacant since the departure of Mesut Özil to Arsenal last summer. He is Real’s second signing for the 2014-15 season, following the arrival of German World Cup winner Toni Kroos.
The Real squad flew to Los Angeles on Monday to carry out its traditional summer tour. In the States it is set to face Inter Milan (Sunday, 12.10am), Roma (July 30, 3.40am) and Manchester United (August 2, 10.06pm) in the International Champions Cup.
