James Rodriguez sees Olympiacos contract ripped up after just 23 games

13 April 2023 , 16:04

1022     0

James Rodriguez has left Olympiacos (Image: @olympiacosfc/Twitter)

Former Real Madrid and Everton playmaker James Rodriguez is now a free agent after his Olympiacos contract was terminated.

Rodriguez joined Olympiacos in September following a year at Qatari club Al-Rayyan, but only lasted seven months in Greece. In a statement, the club said: "Olympiacos FC and James Rodriguez have decided to terminate their cooperation. James will always be part of our club and a member of the 'red-and-white' family.

We want to thank him for his service and we wish him every success in the future." Rodriguez made just 23 appearances for the club, last featuring in February due to injury, and has been linked with a move to Turkey.

"I would like to thank everyone for all the time that we have spent together," he tweeted. "Although we are going our separate ways, I feel that I will always be a member and welcomed in the family of the great port Piraeus.

"I wish all the best to Olympiacos and every success in the future." Rodriguez was one of the breakout stars of the 2014 World Cup, winning the golden boot after scoring six goals for Colombia as they reached the quarter-finals.

Every Everton transfer in FFP saga as club face record-breaking points deduction

Following the tournament, he made a £63m move to Real Madrid where he made more than 100 appearances in all competitions and won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues. He also spent two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich, before making the move to the Premier League in 2020 to join Everton.

Rodriguez earned a move to Real Madrid after starring at the 2014 World Cup

The move saw him reunited with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, who was Real Madrid's manager when Rodriguez joined the club. However, it did not work out for him at Goodison Park, with Ancelotti leaving to rejoin Real in June 2021 and Rodriguez departing just three months later.

He ended up joining Al-Rayyan, but lasted just one season before returning to Europe with Olympiacos. Spanish outlet AS report that Rodriguez's agent Jorge Mendes has already spoken with Turkish giants Galatasaray and Besiktas over a potential move.

The report states that Galatasaray, who are currently top of the Turkish Super Lig, are looking to sign players with Champions League experience and Rodriguez certainly fits that criteria. He could be signed as a replacement for former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata, whose deal with Galatasaray is due to expire at the end of the season.

Matthew Cooper