ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota United on Friday signed midfielder James Rodriguez, the highest-profile player in Major League Soccer club history, to a short-term contract in a deal that gives the Colombian veteran a team that strengthens for this summer’s World Cup.
Pending medical tests and securing a visa, Rodriguez will have a guaranteed spot in the squad until June, when the league is suspended for the World Cup. The contract includes a club option for the remainder of the MLS season, which runs through December.
“I’m so happy to be starting this new chapter in my life,” Rodriguez said. “I want to do my best to bring joy to this city and all the people who believe in me. I’m also a passionate player who gives it all on the field and always wants to win, so I’m looking forward to meeting all the passionate Minnesota fans.”
Rodriguez was introduced during a press conference on February 28 at Allianz Field for the home opener against Cincinnati. The Loons begin their 10th season in MLS on February 21st in Austin.
Chief football officer and sporting director Khalid El-Ahmad focused more on Rodriguez’s fit in the locker room and on the field than the size of his brand, which has more than 51 million followers on Instagram.
“That’s an added bonus. For me, it’s about the individual, it’s about football and it’s about the team,” El-Ahmad said. “Someone with such a big personality said, ‘Actually, I want to be a part of this and help young people and I want the group to help as well. Sometimes things work out.’
Rodriguez, 34, has enjoyed a successful spell in recent years with clubs such as Greece’s Olympiakos, Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Spain’s Rayo Vallecano. club leon Living in Mexico since 2023. Rodriguez contributed to leading Colombia They will be playing in the 2024 Copa America final for the first time in 23 years. He has scored 31 goals in 122 career international matches for Colombia.
The 5-foot-11-inch Rodriguez became a global star at the 2014 World Cup, scoring six goals in five games and winning the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer. He then joined Spain’s Real Madrid, where he spent six seasons with La Liga’s powerhouse team, as well as spells at Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga and Everton in the English Premier League.
Minnesota United lost to San Diego Western Conference Semifinals Last season. Following the departure of manager Eric Ramsey to West Bromwich Albion in the English Second Division Championship, Cameron Knowles has been promoted to replace him.
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