James Rodriguez signs for Atletico Nacional and returns to Colombia after 18 years

James Rodriguez is coming home. The 34-year-old Colombian playmaker has committed to Atletico Nacional, which officially announced his signing on Thursday, ending an 18-year spell abroad that began when he left Envigado for Banfield in 2008. The former Real Madrid midfielder, who had been close to joining Italian second-division side Avellino, chose instead to return to his country and take on a new challenge in Medellin.

• James Rodriguez returns to Colombia to play for Atletico Nacional after the club announced the move on Thursday.
• He comes back 18 years after leaving Envigado to sign for Banfield in 2008.
• An advanced agreement with Avellino in Italy's Serie B was on the table, but he prioritised going home.
• Atletico Nacional will be his eighth club since 2020.
• Real Madrid, where he played 125 matches, was the club he spent the most seasons at, from 2014 to 2020.

James Rodriguez returns to Colombian football with Atletico Nacional

The signing of James by Atletico Nacional is a major moment for Colombian football. The playmaker came through at Envigado, where he made his professional debut in 2006, and moved to Banfield in 2008. From that point on, his career took him to Argentina, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, England, Qatar, Greece, Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Now, after nearly two decades abroad, the Cucuta-born midfielder will wear the shirt of one of the most historic and successful clubs in the country.

The decision was not down to a lack of options. The Colombian international had an advanced agreement to join Avellino, who compete in Italy's Serie B, but he opted to play in his home country instead. "It was the wish of James and those around him to be at a club with guarantees like Nacional because of its stature and sporting project," said Win Sports journalist Sheyla Garcia.

What James Rodriguez brings to Atletico Nacional and what is at stake

Atletico Nacional are adding a player of genuine international pedigree, used to competing on the biggest stages in Europe and with a vision of the game rarely seen in the Colombian league. James arrives with a CV that includes 20 titles, among them two Champions League crowns with Real Madrid, a Europa League with Porto and eight league championships spread across Banfield, Porto, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

For the Medellin club, which traditionally battles for the top positions in the Colombian league and regularly appears in continental competitions, the arrival of the midfielder represents a clear step up in quality and a statement signing in the market. James' return also puts Atletico Nacional at the centre of the South American football conversation.

Real Madrid were the club where James Rodriguez played the most seasons

During his career, James has represented Banfield, Porto, Monaco, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiacos, Sao Paulo, Rayo Vallecano, Leon and Minnesota United. But no club saw him play for as many seasons as Real Madrid, who paid 75 million euros to sign him from Monaco in 2014.

In a white shirt, James played 125 official matches, scored 37 goals and provided 42 assists between 2014 and 2020. During that period he won two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, among other honours. Before landing at the Bernabeu, the Colombian played for Porto from 2010 to 2013 and Monaco from 2013 to 2014, and he later spent two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich from 2017 to 2019, where he added two Bundesliga titles.

A recent career marked by constant moves between clubs

The Colombian has not had much stability in recent years. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2020, he has gone through brief spells at seven clubs: Everton in 2020-21, Al Rayyan in 2021-22, Olympiacos in 2022-23, Sao Paulo in 2023-24, Rayo Vallecano in 2024-25, Leon in 2025 and Minnesota United in 2026. Now, with Atletico Nacional, he starts a different chapter: he plays in his own country, close to his people, with the chance to become the leader of a project that wants to compete for every trophy.

With the Colombia national team, James has earned 131 caps and scored 31 goals. His most recent major achievement with La Tricolor was the runners-up finish at the 2024 Copa America, a tournament in which he again showed his ability to deliver in decisive moments.

The trophy cabinet of James Rodriguez: 20 titles across Europe and South America

James Rodriguez arrives at Atletico Nacional with an enviable trophy cabinet. His honours are headlined by two Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a Europa League won with Porto. To those international trophies he adds eight league championships: one with Banfield, three with Porto, two with Real Madrid and two with Bayern Munich. In total, 20 trophies make him one of the most decorated Colombian footballers in history.