It’s official: Colombian icon James Rodríguez signs with Minnesota United
Minnesota United FC has officially landed the biggest signing in club history.
The club announced on Friday that they have signed Colombian National Team captain James Rodríguez to a guaranteed contract through June 2026, with a club option extending through December 2026. The 34-year-old playmaker will occupy an international roster spot pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Rodríguez arrives in Saint Paul following a season in Liga MX with Club León, joining the Loons just months before he is set to captain Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
A historic arrival
The signing brings a player of undisputed global pedigree to Allianz Field. Rodríguez is a two-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, a two-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, and the winner of the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup.
Crucially, Rodríguez has been signed using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), meaning he will not occupy a Designated Player slot. This allows the Loons to add a global superstar without disrupting their roster construction, joining an attack that already features Designated Players Kelvin Yeboah and Joaquín Pereyra, alongside exciting winger Tomás Chancalay.
For MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad, the move is about adding elite quality to an existing collective rather than relying on a single savior.
“James is a player whose quality, vision, and experience at the highest levels of the game are unquestioned. We’re excited to add his creativity and football intelligence to our group,” El-Ahmad said in the club’s official statement. “At the same time, this move is about collective strength — not about putting everything on one individual. We believe that within our structure, culture, James can add an important dimension to the team.”
James speaks
Rodríguez, who has amassed 122 caps for Los Cafeteros and recently won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2024 Copa América, expressed his eagerness to connect with the Loons’ fanbase.
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life,” Rodríguez said. “I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans because I’m also a passionate player who wants to give everything on the field and always wants to win.”
By the numbers
Rodríguez’s career statistics are staggering. Over a career that has taken him to the top divisions in Argentina, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, England, Qatar, Greece, Brazil, and Mexico, he has tallied 127 goals and 161 assists in 516 appearances across all competitions.
What’s next
Rodríguez is expected to join the team immediately upon the completion of his visa paperwork. With the contract guaranteed through June 2026, the timeline aligns perfectly with the World Cup, ensuring that one of the tournament’s biggest stars will be calling Minnesota home in the lead-up to the global event.
