Paris
James Rodriguez has left Real Madrid to join Premier League club Everton on a two-year deal with the option of a third.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Zinedine Zidane, James has been reunited with Carlo Ancelotti – who coached him at both Madrid and Bayern Munich – for a reported fee of £20million (€22.4m).
The 29-year-old Colombia attacking midfielder was restricted to just 14 appearances for the LaLiga champions last season, scoring one goal.
James arrives as Everton’s second major signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of Allan from Napoli, which was confirmed on Saturday.
Ancelotti will hope the former Porto and Monaco playmaker rediscovers the form he showed in his first season at Madrid, as Everton aim for a drastic improvement on last season’s 12th-placed finish.
“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,” James told evertonfc.com.
“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.—AFP
