Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said he is sure new signing James Rodriguez will seduce Los Blancos fans around the world with his extraordinary skill.
The 23-year-old Colombian was presented to the fans at a baking hot Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with more than 35,000 fans braving the 36-degree summer heat to welcome their new star.
The former Monaco man agreed a six-year deal and successfully passed his medical after Real and the French side had settled on a fee of around 75 million euros.
Real’s new number 10 had a sensational World Cup in Brazil as he helped Colombia to the quarter-final stages. He scored six goals along the way, taking home the Golden Boot as the competition’s top scorer, and also won the goal of the tournament with his wonder volley against Uruguay.
Speaking at the player’s presentation, Perez said he was sure James would replicate that form in a Real Madrid shirt.
“Today arrives a man who seduces football fans, has led an extraordinary Colombian national team, a player who was one of the sensations of the World Cup,” the Madrid president said.
“Their brilliant game and his goals have confirmed him as one of best at the World Cup, with the Golden Boot and the best goal of the tournament. Welcome to James Rodriguez!”
He also spoke of his pride at seeing someone who had a boyhood dream of wearing the jersey see that come true.
He added: “You have never hidden your passion for our shirt. Every time you have been asked you answered proudly.
“Today you will intensely remember the first time you visited the Bernabeu and you said you wanted to play here. That dream has just begun. The boy who dreamed of wearing the shirt of [Zindedine] Zidane, Raul and [David] Beckham is now a Real Madrid player.”
Your welcome james rodriguez#hala madrid#
Hala James we are now the best club in the world.
The signing of James Rodriguez is such a powerful signal to the world, and it really fits well with the mentality of the club and the will of Florentino Perez.
I am really excited to see James in the coming season and hopefully he will continue the drive and winner mentality that he showed during the World Cup.
It did feel like Real lost some crucial points last season due to Ronaldo not being on the field, so if James can show the way to goal in the absence of CR7, I will stop dreaming and start believing about 6 titles.