HAROLD HECKLE
Associated Press
MADRID (AP) — After scoring the most goals of any player at the World Cup, Colombia forward James Rodriguez signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Rodriguez, who helped Colombia reach the quarterfinals in Brazil, passed a medical examination at the Sanitas Clinic in the northern suburb of La Moraleja and will be introduced to fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m very happy,” Rodriguez said as he left the clinic. “Everything went well.”
Sports newspapers Marca and As said Madrid agreed to pay Monaco $108 million for Rodriguez. He is expected to join the squad Aug. 1.
Rodriguez’s goal against Uruguay in the round of 16 at the World Cup, when he chested the ball down and then volleyed it in, was voted the best of the tournament. He scored a total of six times.
Rodriguez will strengthen Madrid’s offensive lineup by joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack.
The Colombia forward will likely wear the No. 10 jersey, vacated when Mesut Ozil left Madrid for Arsenal.
Rodriguez, who had joined Monaco from FC Porto last year, is Madrid’s second signing after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos joined Thursday from Bayern Munich.
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