Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich attacking midfielder James Rodriguez has joined Olympiakos, the Greek soccer team announced Thursday.
The 31-year-old Colombian is reuniting with former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo Vieira, who signed with Olympiakos last week. More than 35,000 fans welcomed both players during a Europa League game between Olympiakos and Freiburg at Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.
The crowd chanted “He’s here. He’s here!” and “James Rodriguez!” moments before the game started as the player held up his number 10 jersey.
James signed a one-year agreement with an option to extend the deal for 12 months. Shortly before the announcement, James terminated his contract with Qatari club Al-Rayyan.
“Thanks to the Olympiakos fans for this wonderful welcome. Let’s go!” the midfielder wrote in a Facebook post.
James is joining his fifth club since scoring six goals for Colombia during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He has made 86 appearances for his national team and scored 24 goals, but his club career has mostly lacked the same success.
In 2021, he ended an 11-year run at major European clubs with a less than impressive stint in the Premier League at Everton.
Olympiakos failed to reach the Champions League this season and finds itself in third place in the Greek league with eight points, four behind leader and arch rival Panathinaikos.
Is The Pappas Post worth $5 a month for all of the content you read? On any given month, we publish dozens of articles that educate, inform, entertain, inspire and enrich thousands who read The Pappas Post. I’m asking those who frequent the site to chip in and help keep the quality of our content high — and free. Click here and start your monthly or annual support today. If you choose to pay (a) $5/month or more or (b) $50/year or more then you will be able to browse our site completely ad-free!
Click here if you would like to subscribe to The Pappas Post Weekly News Update
