According to MLS insider Tom Bogert, James Rodriguez, who played 26 official games for the Toffees according to Transfermarkt, is joining MLS side Minnesota United FC. The deal is a non-DP one and is considered a short-term deal.
James has bounced around several clubs since he left Real Madrid, including Bayern Munich, Rayo Vallecano, Olympiacos, and of course, Everton.
He never replicated the early success he had at Real Madrid with any other club, and his latest move continues the decline of such a talented footballer who could have offered so much more.
Rodriguez was beloved by Everton fans for his flashy style of play and on-field production. The Colombian international produced 15 goal contributions in his short Merseyside stay.
Unfortunately for James and Toffee fans, managerial changes and injury riddled his Everton career, and he moved to Al-Rayyan SC after his time at Everton came to an end.
Some might consider his signing one of the many things that went wrong for Everton in the past decade that led the club to become a yearly relegation contender shortly after his departure.
According to Bogert, Rodriguez will stay with Minnesota “at least through the World Cup,” and there’s no indication of what would come next for James, who is now 34 years old.
One thing’s for certain, and it’s that a move back to the Premier League is practically impossible, and Evertonians will not have the chance to see Rodriguez in person, since his only season at the club came during the complicated 2020/21 season.