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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rodriguez leaves Sao Paulo</li><li>Stars for Colombia at Copa America</li><li>Veteran joins Rayo Vallecano</li></ul>

James Rodriguez is back in Europe! Colombian superstar joins La Liga minnows after outstanding Copa America campaign

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Colombia

Ecuador

LaLiga

Sevilla

Rayo Vallecano

The former Real Madrid man <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/james-rodriguez-heading-back-madrid-colombia-star-agreement-join-la-liga-club-2024-copa-america/blt4110c70d890a8d68" target="_blank">left Sao Paulo just 12 months into his two-year-deal</a> earlier this summer. The 33-year-old went onto have a stunning Copa America for Colombia and was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/james-rodriguez-copa-america-mvp-colombia/blt46ee3bb7d6f0c6b2" target="_blank">named the tournament's best player</a>. Now, he is back in Spain after La Liga minnows Rayo announced his signing on Monday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and James Rodríguez have reached an agreement whereby the midfielder will join our squad," a statement from the club read.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">✅ 𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesdrodriguez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jamesdrodriguez</a> , nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano 👑 El MVP de la Copa América 2024 llega al Club en la temporada del Centenario ¡Bienvenido, James! ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/fBiXdSTJKg">pic.twitter.com/fBiXdSTJKg</a>— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) <a href="https://twitter.com/RayoVallecano/status/1828054852649263320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT RAYO VALLECANO SAID

Reports suggest the former Everton player has signed a one-year contract with Vallecano. Going by his displays for his country - where he helped <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/argentina-player-ratings-colombia-lionel-messi-lautaro-martinez/blte69368f2e711b37d" target="_blank">Colombia reach the final of the 2024 Copa America,</a> scoring one goal and bagging six assists along the way - he still has plenty more to give in his career.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rodriguez's new team, who sit eighth in La Liga after picking up four points from their opening two games this season, take on Barcelona on Tuesday night before travelling to Espanyol on Saturday. The ex-Bayern Munich loanee will hope to make his club debut as soon as possible.

WHAT NEXT?

James Rodriguez is back in Europe! Colombian superstar joins La Liga minnows after outstanding Copa America campaign | Goal.com Tanzania

Copa America star James Rodriguez is back in Europe following his move to La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano.