James Rodriguez returns to La Liga, joins Real Valladolid

Former Real Madrid star, James Rodríguez, has returned to the Spanish La Liga as he joins Real Vallecano.

James, who spent six years with Real Madrid between 2014 and 2020, has now returned to the city with Rayo, who narrowly avoided relegation last term.

The Columbian has penned a one-year deal with Inigo Perez’s side, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

Since leaving Real Madrid in 2020, James has plied his trade with Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiakos and Sao Paulo.

James left Sao Paulo in July following an impressive Copa America campaign with Colombia, winning the Player of the Tournament award as they reached the final.

Rodriguez had six assists at the tournament, surpassing the single-edition record set by Lionel Messi in the 2021 campaign.

Joining Rayo Vallecano makes James Rodriguez another high-profile Colombian with the club after Radamel Falcao, who left this summer.

Rayo have already collected four points from their first two games of the season in LaLiga, and will be facing Barcelona on Tuesday.