James Rodriguez Joins English Premier League Side
Everton has completed the signing of Colombian attacking midfielder James Rodriguez from Real Madrid in a deal worth £20m. The 29-year-old joins the Toffees on a two-year contract, with the option for a further season. The player who joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2014 after winning the Golden Boot award at the World Cup in Brazil that summer.
According to Rodriguez on joining the English Premier League side, he said: “I am really, really happy to be at this great club, a club with so much history, and here with a manager who knows me really well.” “I’m looking forward to achieving great things here and winning things, which is what everyone’s aim is. ” He also said: “I’ve come here to try to improve, to get better. I’ve also come here to help the team to win, to play good football entertaining football.”
It is the third time he has been signed by Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, having joined the Italian at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. James said: “I’m convinced, with Carlo and his technical staff, we can achieve big things and one of the big reasons [I signed] was the presence of Carlo Ancelotti.” “I have enjoyed some great times with him previously at two different clubs. That was a massive reason to come here.”
Everton head coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “James, as everyone knows, is a fantastic player with a lot of quality and a lot of ability to make assists for the strikers.” “He’s really excited about the project of the club and the fact we want to improve. He was really excited to sign and I didn’t spend time to convince him he was already convinced.”
Rodriguez is part of an ambitious Ancelotti rebuilding programme at Everton, with the Toffees having signed Napoli’s combative Brazil international Allan and agreed a fee for Watford’s French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.