Real Madrid transfer news: 80m euro deal completed on Monaco's James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez (FIFA)

He dazzled at the World Cup, taking home the Golden Boot, and now James Rodriguez's efforts are being rewarded with the fourth-biggest transfer of all time. 

The 23-year-old Colombian player passed his medical this morning and has signed on with the European champions for six years.

The £63m deal is nearly double the price tag for his transfer to Monaco from FC Porto last summer.  Monaco spent £35m on bringing him to Stade Louis II and he spent one season with the club, scoring nine goals and helping the team finish second behind Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.  

Rodriguez joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to put Real Madrid on a strong footing for another Champions League win.  

It wasn't for nothing that Rodriguez picked up the Golden Boot during the World Cup, scoring no less than six goals for his country.

Monaco said in a statement on its official website: "The club would like to take the opportunity to thank James for the role he played in getting the club back to the Champions League and wishes him the very best for the future.

"The club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties.

"Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history.

"Monaco is a club that will continue to grow and remains focused on the future. More than ever it has the ambition to strengthen the team and continue to progress for next season."

Real Madrid said in a statement that Rodriguez would be presented at 20:00 CET on Tuesday and take his first steps onto the Santiago Bernabéu's pitch wearing the Real Madrid jersey, before answering questions from the press.  

Twitter user @rm_bgrd shared a picture showing 'James 10' shirts already on sale in the Spanish capital.  

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