Real Madrid players welcome new signing James Rodriguez

Alvaro Arbeloa and Gareth Bale have led the chorus of Real Madrid players keen to welcome new signing James Rodriguez to the club.

The 23-year-old Colombian forward signed on Tuesday in a 75 million euro deal from Monaco after agreeing a six-year deal at the club that he grew up supporting.

He was greeted by more than 30,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu after club president Florentino Perez had welcomed him to the club. Colombia’s ambassador in Spain was also present at the event and spoke about his nation’s pride at having one of the greatest sporting talents of today playing for the biggest club in the world.

Some 6,000 miles away in Los Angeles, Carlo Ancelotti and Fernando Hierro put the squad through their paces as they prepare for the tour of the USA.

But some of the players took to social media during a break in training to welcome James to the club.

Defender Arbeloa took to Twitter and said: “Bond, Dean, LeBron…there are many Jameses but only one J A M E S. Welcome to Real Madrid, @jamesdrodriguez! See you soon star!”

Welshman Bale also used the social networking site to send a message to the former Monaco man.

“Another great player joins @realmadrid, welcome @jamesdrodriguez, enjoy today!!!” Bale wrote. Withing minutes, the World Cup’s top scorer had responded, saying: “Thank you @GarethBale11. Can’t wait to meet you and the team.”