James Rodriguez, 35, signs for eighth club in six years after spending World Cup unemployed

JAMES RODRIGUEZ has returned to play in Colombia ​for the first time since leaving ‌as a teenager.

has joined Medellin giants Atletico Nacional on a free transfer.

The ​35-year-old most recently played for ​Minnesota United in the .

has signed a contract with Atletico that ​runs until the summer of 2027.

The Colombian side ​will be the 14th club in a career that has taken Rodriguez to 12 countries.

He has now played for eight clubs in the past six years.

The Colombia captain led his country at the , and rolled back the years with some brilliant performances.

He has made 131 international appearances for the , with the highlight his Golden Boot in the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

In their announcement, Atletico said: “This isn’t an announcement. It is a labor of love for this team.

“It is the work of many people, day in and day out, done quietly to ensure Nacional grows ever greater.

Fixtures Results Table

Saturday 12 September

Bournemouth

15:00

EPL

Brentford

Villa

15:00

EPL

Forest

Chelsea

15:00

EPL

Hull

Palace

15:00

EPL

Ipswich

Liverpool

15:00

EPL

Fulham

Spurs

17:30

EPL

Everton

Sunderland

20:00

EPL

Arsenal

Sunday 6 September

Saturday 5 September

English Premier League Pld Pts GD W D L Form

1

3

9

5

3

0

0

2

3

9

5

3

0

0

3

3

7

3

2

1

0

4

3

6

1

2

0

1

5

3

5

3

1

2

0

6

3

5

2

1

2

0

7

3

5

2

1

2

0

8

3

5

2

1

2

0

“When a club works for the sake of the club, greatness isn’t just a discussion – it is a consequence.

“They trusted. They believed. It was inevitable. James Rodriguez is Atlético Nacional. The greatest of the greatest.”