WCup star Rodriguez inks 6-year Real deal
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REAL Madrid has signed Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez from Monaco on a six-year contract, the La Liga club said yesterday.
“Real Madrid and AS Monaco have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez that will see keep him at the club for the next six seasons,” Real said in a statement on its website.
The World Cup’s Golden Boot winner with six goals, who was to be presented at the Santiago Bernabeu later yesterday, is Real’s second major signing of the transfer window after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.
Real has also been linked with a move for Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper whose heroics helped Costa Rica reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Navas plays with Levante in the Spanish first division.
No details of the fee for Rodriguez were disclosed but reports said it was around 80 million euros (US$107.9 million).
Shortly before the announcement, Rodriguez posed for pictures and gave the thumbs up sign as he left a Madrid clinic where he passed a medical test.
“I am very happy. We will talk later,” he told reporters.
Rodriguez, 23, first came to Europe in 2010 after signing for Porto and won the Portuguese league three years in a row before joining Monaco last year.
His performances for Colombia at the World Cup prompted a move by Real for Rodriguez who pushed Monaco for the chance to play for the Spanish giant.
“AS Monaco is proud to have helped James Rodriguez reveal his talent to the world as he notably made his mark on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil winning the golden boot” Vadim Vasilyev, CEO of Monaco, said in a statement.
“James is a fantastic player who achieved great things with AS Monaco. 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. AS Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history.”
The arrival of Rodriguez could open the door for Angel Di Maria to leave.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti had wanted to keep him but the Argentine winger is believed to feel under-valued at the club.
Alvaro Morata has left for Juventus and defensive midfielder Casemiro has joined Porto on a season-long loan.
Morata, in fact, has been ruled out for 50 days with a torn ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred in training on Monday when Morata made contact with reserve goalkeeper Rubinho.
Juventus announced details of the injury yesterday following an exam.
Morata signed a five-year contract with Italian champion Juventus after a 20 million euros transfer from Real was finalized over the weekend.
The 21-year-old Morata scored 10 goals in 37 league appearances for Real in the past four seasons.
When he returns, Morata could be a second option in Juventus’ attack behind Carlos Tevez and fellow Spaniard Fernando Llorente.
The Serie A opens on August 30.
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