Real Madrid signs James Rodriguez to 6-year contract
The Galácticos just keep doing what they do. Real Madrid officially announced the signing of Colombian star James Rodriguez on Tuesday morning, inking the 23-year-old to a six-year contract.
While the club did not reveal the fee brokered with AS Monaco for the services of the World Cup's Golden Boot winner, multiple reports suggest the French side received something in the region of €80 million.
Rodriguez, who only moved to Monaco last summer from Porto in a deal worth €45 million, led all players with six goals at the World Cup in Brazil, including the remarkable tally against Uruguay that was voted the best of the tournament.
Fans will get their first look at the Colombian in the famous all-white kit later today, as Rodriguez will be unveiled in typical grandiose fashion at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, coming off a season in which they signed Gareth Bale for a world record transfer fee and then went on to win the Champions League, have now added arguably the two most impressive players from the World Cup, with Rodriguez joining German midfielder Toni Kroos in the Spanish capital.
To say that manager Carlo Ancelotti will have plenty of options this season would be quite the gross understatement:
That doesn't even take into account the likes of Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Jese and perhaps most notable of all, Angel di Maria and Isco. The latter two are both expected to be sold this summer, despite the fact that the Spaniard only joined the club last summer from Malaga for €30 million.
Such is life at Real Madrid.Suffice it to say, anything less than a repeat victory in the Champions League and a league crown to go with it would be viewed as a massive disappointment this season. The move also adds yet another superstar to what was already the most impressive list of players compiled for any match on the planet. This season's Clasico(s) against Barcelona will be quite the spectacle.
@thescore.com