Everton confirm James Rodriguez signing from Real Madrid

On Monday, Everton confirmed the signing of Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez from Spanish giants and La Liga champions Real Madrid. The 29-year-old put pen to paper on a two-deal contract with an option for a third season.

Per Sky Sports, the Premier League outfit paid a transfer fee of £22 million for James' services.

This is now the third time that James will play under Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, as the pair worked together at Real and Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. James featured for Bayen during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns.

James originally joined Real following the 2014 World Cup, where he won Golden Boot honors after he tallied six goals during the competition. While he was named La Liga's best midfielder for the 2014-15 season, he never consistently found his World Cup form in Spain and was ultimately deemed surplus to requirements by Real manager Zinedine Zidane. Bayern then elected to not pick up the option to purchase James in May 2019.

Vinny O'Connor of Sky Sports noted the signing will help expand Everton's brand as much as it will lead to the club winning domestic matches: 

The signing of James Rodriguez will accelerate Everton's international growth plans — which were already focusing on South America and particularly North America.

The club has already seen international growth in USA and South America through a combination of current and former player activity, official affiliated clubs membership and supporters' club growth.

James has a follower base approaching 100m and ranks as the eighth biggest social media star of any sportsperson on the planet.

Everton are primed to try to capitalise on James' signing with launch activity that will see outdoor media and activations in Bogota, Colombia and Miami, Florida, USA, and enhanced distribution of the Club's merchandise through the Fanatics partnership.

The summer transfer window closes Oct. 5.