James Rodriguez completes shock Olympiacos transfer after ripping up Qatar contract to join ex-Real Madrid pal Marcelo
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FORMER Everton and Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has completed his shock move to Olympiacos.
The Colombian playmaker had been looking for an exit from Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan where he was under contract until 2024, which included a £5.2m annual salary.
Now Olympiacos have handed him a way out and a return to Europe after reaching an agreement with the 31-year-old.
And they officially announced the arrival of the South American this afternoon after he agreed to terminate his deal at Al-Rayyan.
The Superleague giants have been in talks with Rodriguez for several days.
Now they have managed to get the transfer over the line before the summer window in Greece slams shut tonight.
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Al-Rayyan confirmed the departure of the the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner earlier, saying: “Al Rayyan terminates the contract of Colombian professional James Rodriguez by mutual consent after reaching an agreement between the two parties.”
The length of his new contract has not yet been disclosed.
His arrival is the second major signing by Olympiacos over recent weeks after they landed Rodriguez’s former Real team-mate Marcelo.
During his one season stint with Everton under Carlo Ancelotti, Rodriguez scored six goals and got nine assists in 26 games.
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The former Bayern Munich loanee has also claimed he'd happily rejoin Everton earlier this year.
Rodriguez insisted that he only left the 'spectacular club' because then-boss Rafa Benitez didn't trust him as a player.
But he irked Toffees' fans after once admitting on social media he didn't know who their next opponents were.