Minnesota United has a new star player.
The Loons have a verbal agreement with Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez, a team official confirmed. Rodríguez was expected to arrive in Minnesota on Thursday, Feb. 5. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Rodríguez, 34, has played in some of the top leagues in the world, like Spain’s La Liga (Real Madrid), Germany’s Bundesliga (Bayern Munich) and the United Kingdom’s Premier League (Everton). He has also made 122 appearances for his national team and represented Colombia at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. Rodríguez, who can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder, won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after leading the tournament with six goals.
Rodríguez most recently played for Club León in Liga MX in Mexico, where he had five goals and nine assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. He became a free agent when his contract expired in December.
His creativity could benefit a Loons side seeking to forge a new identity. First-year coach Cameron Knowles, who was promoted from assistant coach in January following Eric Ramsay’s departure, said Jan. 30 he wants his players to be more assertive after the team finished last season with the lowest possession rate in MLS (39.7%).
“I hope they see what we’re trying to implement,” Knowles said. “A team that is a bit more on the front foot, a bit more aggressive. A team that has the ball a little bit more, is able to create chances through the run of play, that isn’t just reliant on set pieces in those moments to score goals.”
Whether Rodríguez can help the Loons shift their style of play remains to be seen. He’s bounced around since leaving Real Madrid in 2020, playing in the U.K., Qatar, Greece, Brazil, Spain and Mexico. Minnesota United would be his seventh club in six years.
Rodríguez remains a standout on his national team despite the transient nature of his club career. He captained Colombia to the Copa America final in 2024 and was named the tournament’s best player after finishing with one goal and six assists in six games.
