James Rodriguez is close to signing for La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after he rescinded his contract with Brazilian club Sao Paolo earlier this summer. He is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Spanish side with the option of a further 12 months.
Rodriguez starred for Colombia at the Copa America in June and July. He registered six assists and one goal at the competition in the United States as Colombia were beaten by Argentina in the final, winning the Golden Ball award for the most valuable player and earning a spot in the team of the tournament.
Rodriguez has not played in European football since leaving Olympiacos last summer. He had spent one season with the Greek side, making 23 appearances, before joining Sao Paolo. He only played 14 times for Sao Paolo before leaving the club one year into a two-year contract.
Previously, Rodriguez spent six years in Spain as a Real Madrid player, although two of those were on loan at Bayern Munich. With Madrid, the Colombia captain scored 37 goals in 125 games and won two league titles and two Champions Leagues.
Rodriguez left Spain in 2020 and signed for Premier League side Everton under former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. On Merseyside, Rodriguez registered six goals and eight assists in 28 appearances before leaving after just one season to Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
Vallecano have previously had a storied Colombia international on their books in Radamel Falcao. The former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker spent three seasons with Vallecano, scoring 13 times in 80 appearances, before signing for Millonarios in his homeland at the end of last season.
Vallecano finished 17th in La Liga last season but have begun the new campaign with a win and a draw. Inigo Perez’s side host Barcelona on Tuesday in their next match.
(Miguel J Rodriguez Carrillo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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