Premier League cult hero, 34, becomes unemployed after ‘giving up money’ to leave South American giants

FORMER Premier League star Salomon Rondon has allegedly given up a huge chunk of money in order to quit River Plate.

The 34-year-old made his name in the UK playing for West Brom, Newcastle and Everton.

However, the Venezuelan forward has enjoyed stints at a host of other clubs across the globe during his nomadic career.

Back in January he moved to Argentina to sign for his 11th team River Plate after departing Goodison Park - but now he has left less than 12 months into his two-year deal.

We reported how Rondon wanted to cut his contract short due to an issue involving his family.

Now has claimed that he “gave up money” in order to secure his early exit.

During his brief period at River, Rondon scored nine goals in 26 top-flight matches and helped them to win the title last term.

Despite reports that he was trying to get a move to Mexico, those have now been dashed leaving his next destination a mystery.

Rondon started his senior career at Venezuelan side Aragua but he went on to spend most of his time in Europe, appearing for Spanish team Las Palmas and then in La Liga with Malaga from 2010-2012.

He also played for the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan, Zenit Saint Petersburg and CSKA Moscow.

In 2015 he emerged in England with West Brom and later enjoyed a loan spell with Newcastle prior to a two-year stint in China.

He was back on these shores in 2021 as he headed to Everton but only managed three goals and one assist in 31 appearances for the Toffees.

Rondon made his international debut for Venezuela in 2008 when he was aged 18 in a friendly against Haiti.

He has gone on to represent his country in four Copa America tournaments and is the nation's all-time top goal scorer with 40 goals.

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