Former Real Madrid and Everton playmaker James Rodriguez has had his Olympiacos contract terminated.

The Colombia international, 31, joined the Greek side at the beginning of the season, but has been released after playing just 23 games for the club.

Olympiacos said in a statement: “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.”

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Rodriguez, who last played for Olympiacos in mid-February after being sidelined through injury, wrote: “I would like to thank everyone for all the time that we have spent together. 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 became a World Cup breakout star in 2014 after scoring six goals for Colombia at the Brazil tournament.

He subsequently joined Real from Monaco, scoring 37 goals in 125 matches for the Spanish heavyweights, but spent two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich.

His career took him to Everton in 2020, where he scored six goals in 26 appearances. Rodriguez eventually left for Al-Rayyan in Qatar the following year.

He made only 16 appearances in 12 months, swapping the Middle East for Greece.

Rodriguez continues to be capped by Colombia and scored in a 2-2 draw against South Korea last month.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

James Rodriguez arrived at Everton to fanfare and left with a whimper

(Photo: Getty Images)

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