New Delhi: Colombian star James Rodriguez has joined La Liga club Rayo Vallecano as a free agent. The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Brazilian side Sao Paulo this summer. He has signed a one-year deal with the Spanish side with the option of a further one year.
The former Real Madrid and Everton player started for Colombia at the Copa America in June and July where he registered one goal and six assists in the competition as Colombia were beaten by Argentina in the finals. Rodriguez also won the Golden Ball award for the most valuable player and earned a spot in the team of the tournament.
The midfielder has not played in European football since leaving Olympiacos before moving to Sao Paulo in 2023. He spent just one season with the Greek side making 23 appearances and made 14 appearances for Sao Paulo before leaving the club one year into a two-year deal.
✅ 𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | @jamesdrodriguez , nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano
👑 El MVP de la Copa América 2024 llega al Club en la temporada del Centenario
¡Bienvenido, James! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/fBiXdSTJKg
— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) August 26, 2024
Previously, James Rodriguez has won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and later in the summer signed for the Real Madrid side. The Colombia captain scored 37 goals in made 125 appearances for the Spanish champions before leaving on loan for two years to Bayern Munich. He later on joined Everton in 2020 under former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti where in 28 appearances he registered six goals and eight assists.
Rayo Vallecano had another Colombian international Radamel Falcao on their books. The former Atletico Madrid striker spent three seasons with Rayo making 80 appearances and scoring 13 goals before making a move to Millonarios in his homeland.
Rayo Vallecano are in eighth position in la Liga, having begun the season with a win and a draw. Last year they finished 17th and will be facing FC Barcelona next tomorrow, August 28, and James Rodriguez could feature in the match.
Copa America 2024 player of the tournament and former Real Madrid star player Rodriguez is all set to make a shocking return to La Liga Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
