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James Rodríguez signs for Real Madrid for a reported £63m James Rodríguez signs for Real Madrid for a reported £63m
(35 minutes later)
The unexpected star of the World Cup finals, Colombia’s James Rodríguez, has signed for Real Madrid for a reported £63m.The unexpected star of the World Cup finals, Colombia’s James Rodríguez, has signed for Real Madrid for a reported £63m.
The 23-year-old follows the signing of another key midfielder from the World Cup, Germany’s Toni Kroos who joined for a bargain £20m, and will be given the No10 shirt which was last worn by Mesut Özil.The 23-year-old follows the signing of another key midfielder from the World Cup, Germany’s Toni Kroos who joined for a bargain £20m, and will be given the No10 shirt which was last worn by Mesut Özil.
He passed a medical in the Spanish capital on Tuesday morning and has agreed a six-year deal at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid will present him to the fans in their stadium at 7pm BST.He passed a medical in the Spanish capital on Tuesday morning and has agreed a six-year deal at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid will present him to the fans in their stadium at 7pm BST.
The announcement had been expected this week but had been delayed as Real and Monaco struggled over the small print in the €80m deal with Monaco’s owner Dmitry Rybolovlev holding out for €85m, according to L’Equipe. A Real Madrid statement read: “Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Monaco for the transfer of James Rodriguez, who will join the club for the next six seasons.
“The player will be presented today, Tuesday 22 July, at 20:00 in the Santiago Bernabéu’s presidential box.
“Following that, James Rodriguez will take his first steps on the Santiago Bernabéu’s pitch wearing the Real Madrid shirt and will attend the media in the press room.”
The fee makes Rodriguez the fourth most expensive transfer of all time after Madrid’s £86m Gareth Bale, £80m Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s £75m Luis Suárez.
Rodriguez was one of the revelations of the World Cup, scoring in each of Colombia’s games as they reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time, eventually losing 2-1 to the hosts Brazil.
In total Rodriguez scored six goals at the World Cup to finish as the leading scorer - one clear of Thomas Müller - while his 25-yard volley against Uruguay was voted goal of the tournament on Fifa.com.
Rodriguez began his professional career with the Colombian side Envigado before moving to the Argentinian club Banfield aged 17.
His performances attracted the attention of Porto, who signed him for £4m in 2010, and three years later he joined Monaco for £38.5m after helping the Portuguese side win a hat-trick of league titles and the 2011 Europa League.
The left-footed forward scored 10 goals in 38 matches in all competitions for Monaco last term as they finished second in Ligue 1 behind Paris St-Germain.
Monaco said they had not been looking to sell Rodriguez but described the deal as “one of the most significant transfers in football history”.
“The club would like to take the opportunity to thank James for the role he played in getting the club back to the Champions League and wishes him the very best for the future,” they said.
“The club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties.
“Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history.
“Monaco is a club that will continue to grow and remains focused on the future. More than ever it has the ambition to strengthen the team and continue to progress for next season.”
The announcement had been delayed as Real and Monaco struggled over the small print in the deal with Monaco’s owner Dmitry Rybolovlev holding out for €85m, according to L’Equipe.
Monaco were keen to sign Diego López in part exchange but the goalkeeper did not want to leave. Real are expected to sign the Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas for £8m as their No1 after the European champions agreed to meet the release clause in his contract at Levante.Monaco were keen to sign Diego López in part exchange but the goalkeeper did not want to leave. Real are expected to sign the Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas for £8m as their No1 after the European champions agreed to meet the release clause in his contract at Levante.