Colombia international James Rodriguez has joined QNB Stars League side Al Rayyan from Premier League Everton, both clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
Al Rayyan teased the signing of the 30-year-old yesterday by sharing a video about an imminent new arrival on social media. The club then confirmed the deal with a video welcoming the Colombian star to the club.
Rodriguez is a big scalp for Rayyan, who are seeking their first league title since 2015-16 and are also set to play in the Amir Cup final against Al Sadd on October 22 at the Al Thumama stadium. Rodriguez will team up with Algeria's Yacine Brahimi and Ivort Coast's Yohan Boli to make it a formidable attack. Al Rayyan, coached by ex-France coach Laurent Blanc, are 10th in Qatar's top flight after three matches.
With the transfer window in the Middle East still open until the end of the month, Rodriguez travelled to Qatar to tie up his move at the weekend. Confirming the deal, a statement on Everton's website said: "James Rodriguez has left Everton to sign for Qatari club Al Rayyan for an undisclosed fee."
The 30-year-old midfielder's future at Everton looked uncertain after they appointed manager Rafa Benitez to replace Carlo Ancelotti this season. Rodriguez joined Everton from LaLiga club Real Madrid in September 2020 looking to revive his career in England.
He contributed six goals and nine assists in 26 games in all competitions for Everton last season. Rodriguez scored 37 goals across two spells at Real after joining them on the back of stellar performances at the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot.
But he struggled to live up to his 80mn euros ($93.88mn) price tag, failing to nail down a regular spot in the starting line-up at the Bernabeu. He was loaned out to Bundesliga club Bayern Munich in 2017 for two seasons. The playmaker returned for a second spell at Real in July 2019 but found himself on the fringes of the first team again, starting only five league games.
Al Rayyan teased the signing of the 30-year-old yesterday by sharing a video about an imminent new arrival on social media. The club then confirmed the deal with a video welcoming the Colombian star to the club.
Rodriguez is a big scalp for Rayyan, who are seeking their first league title since 2015-16 and are also set to play in the Amir Cup final against Al Sadd on October 22 at the Al Thumama stadium. Rodriguez will team up with Algeria's Yacine Brahimi and Ivort Coast's Yohan Boli to make it a formidable attack. Al Rayyan, coached by ex-France coach Laurent Blanc, are 10th in Qatar's top flight after three matches.
With the transfer window in the Middle East still open until the end of the month, Rodriguez travelled to Qatar to tie up his move at the weekend. Confirming the deal, a statement on Everton's website said: "James Rodriguez has left Everton to sign for Qatari club Al Rayyan for an undisclosed fee."
The 30-year-old midfielder's future at Everton looked uncertain after they appointed manager Rafa Benitez to replace Carlo Ancelotti this season. Rodriguez joined Everton from LaLiga club Real Madrid in September 2020 looking to revive his career in England.
He contributed six goals and nine assists in 26 games in all competitions for Everton last season. Rodriguez scored 37 goals across two spells at Real after joining them on the back of stellar performances at the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot.
But he struggled to live up to his 80mn euros ($93.88mn) price tag, failing to nail down a regular spot in the starting line-up at the Bernabeu. He was loaned out to Bundesliga club Bayern Munich in 2017 for two seasons. The playmaker returned for a second spell at Real in July 2019 but found himself on the fringes of the first team again, starting only five league games.
