Everton have signed Colombia attacking midfielder James Rodriguez from Real Madrid in a deal worth £20m.
The 29-year-old joins the Toffees on a two-year contract, with the option for a further season.
He joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2014 after winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Brazil that summer.
“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,” said Rodriguez.
“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.”
Rodriguez, who was entering the last year of his contract with the Spanish champions, featured 14 times for Zinedine Zidane’s side last season.
It is the third time he has been signed by Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, having joined the Italian at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Rodriguez is part of an ambitious Ancelotti rebuilding programme at Everton, with the Toffees having signed Napoli’s combative Brazil international Allan and agreed a fee for Watford’s French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Colombian has been marginalised under Zidane at the Bernabeu and was allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future.
Ancelotti, who became Everton boss last December, has been the driving force behind the deal, with Rodriguez attracted by the idea of working with the Italian once more.
🇨🇴 | It's official… @jamesdrodriguez is a Blue! 🔵#AlóJames pic.twitter.com/hNDsLvtqtT
— Everton (@Everton) September 7, 2020
