Everton have completed the signing of Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez for £22m from Real Madrid. The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third season.
The move sees James link up with Carlo Ancelotti for the third time in his career, having played under him at Bayern Munich and Real.
The Everton manager signed James from Monaco as Real manager in 2014, but after an impressive first season in the Spanish capital the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner failed to truly establish himself afterwards, before signing for Bayern under Ancelotti on a two-season loan deal in 2017.
“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,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to achieving great things here – and winning things, which is what everyone’s aim is.
“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.
“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.”
James had a very good outing in last year’s Copa America and was named in the team of the tournament after contributing greatly to Colombia reaching the quarter-finals.
He has scored 22 goals and contributed 25 assists in 76 international appearances since his debut against Bolivia in October 2011.
Rodriguez joins fellow South American and Brazilian midfielder Allan, who joined from Napoli on a three-year contract this summer.
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