TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:<\/strong> Signing<\/em><\/p>\n Minnesota United FC<\/a> have signed global superstar James Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>, the club announced Friday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The 34-year-old midfielder and Colombian national team captain is under contract through June 2026 with an option through December 2026.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez, who arrives ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> this summer, will not occupy a Designated Player roster slot. He was previously a free agent.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJames is a player whose quality, vision, and experience at the highest levels of the game are unquestioned. We\u2019re excited to add his creativity and football intelligence to our group. At the same time, this move is about collective strength \u2013 not about putting everything on one individual,\u201d said Khaled El-Ahmad, Minnesota’s chief soccer officer and sporting director.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that within our structure and culture, James can add an important dimension to the team. Our focus is on integrating him the right way and ensuring he contributes in a way that elevates the group. We\u2019re confident that, together, we can create something impactful for our community, club and our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The newest Colombian star in MLS. \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf4\ud83e\udd29 pic.twitter.com\/0v8bRlmkEe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Rodr\u00edguez rose to fame at the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot (six goals) while leading Colombia to a quarterfinal finish.<\/p>\n That breakout performance fueled a blockbuster move to LaLiga giants Real Madrid in July 2014. Rodr\u00edguez has also featured for German Bundesliga titans Bayern Munich, Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto and English Premier League side Everton FC, among others, tallying 127g\/161a in 516 club matches.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez’s most recent stop was in LIGA MX with Club Le\u00f3n, where he scored five goals in 34 all-competition appearances.\u00a0<\/p>\n He is Colombia’s second all-time leading scorer with 31g\/41a in 122 caps and is poised to captain his country at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very happy for this new chapter in my life,\u201d said Rodr\u00edguez. \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans because I\u2019m also a passionate player who wants to give everything on the field and always wants to win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n BTS with No. 10 pic.twitter.com\/0xJTQRNj9c<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Rodr\u00edguez highlights an offseason revamp for the Loons that also includes\u00a0forward Tom\u00e1s Chancalay<\/a>\u00a0and goalkeeper Drake Callender<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Midfielder Joaqu\u00edn Pereyra<\/a>, forward Kelvin Yeboah<\/a>, midfielder Nectarios Triantis<\/a> and defender Michael Boxall<\/a> are key returning players from the Minnesota side that earned a club-record 58 points in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Led by incoming head coach Cameron Knowles<\/a>, Minnesota United begin their 2026 campaign on Feb. 21 at Austin FC<\/a>\u00a0(8:30 pm ET |\u00a0Apple TV<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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