Real Madrid Transfer News: James Rodríguez Signs Six-Year Deal With ‘Los Blancos’

It’s official! Colombian soccer sensation James Rodríguez signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid. “The dream is REAL. Happy to be part of the best club in the world. #HalaMadrid @realmadrid,” tweeted Rodríguez as soon as the news went public. According to AP, the 23-year-old soccer player, who won the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals in the World Cup, passed a medical examination at the Sanitas Clinic, in the northern suburb of La Moraleja. "I'm very happy," he said as he left the clinic. "Everything went well."

James, pronounced “Ha-mez” began his career at Envigado, and in 2009 joined the Argentine club Banfield. The following year he moved to Europe with Porto where he won the Portuguese Golden Ball, given to the best player in the Primeira Liga, at the age of 20. By the time he was 21, he had won three successive league titles with Porto. He moved to Monaco for £38.5 million ($65.7 million) in 2013, the second most expensive Colombian after Radamel Falcao. Now, his move to Real Madrid, makes him the fourth most expensive transfer of all times after Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suárez. Rodríguez’s reported fee was €80 million or $107.9 million.

"Real Madrid and AS Monaco have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez that will see keep him at the club for the next six seasons," Real said in a statement on their website. His former club also weighed in on the matter: "AS Monaco is proud to have helped James Rodriguez reveal his talent to the world as he notably made his mark on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil winning the golden boot" Vadim Vasilyev, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Monaco, said in a statement.

"James is a fantastic player who achieved great things with AS Monaco,” he added. “The Club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties. AS Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history." Rodríguez is expected to join the squad Aug. 1, but will be introduced to fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, July 22.

Rodríguez is Madrid’s second signing after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos joined from Bayern Munich. The Colombian will join Madrid’s offensive lineup along Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karin Benzema, and he’ll most likely wear the #10 jersey, which belonged to Mesut Ozil before he left Madrid for Arsenal. What do you think of this deal? Do you like that James Rodríguez will now play for Real Madrid? Let us know in the comments below!