MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Real Madrid yesterday signed Colombian striker James Rodriguez, the top scorer at the World Cup, from Monaco on a six-season contract.

Spanish media said Real paid about 80 million euros (US$108m) for Rodriguez, making him one of the most expensive players ever.

Neither club gave a figure, but Monaco said it was “one of the biggest transfers in football history”.

Rodriguez, 23, scored six goals for Colombia at the World Cup to win the Golden Boot award. A spectacular volley against Uruguay went down as one of the best goals of any World Cup.

“The dream already is REAL. Happy to be part of the best club in the world,” he wrote in a Twitter message after the deal was announced.

The Colombian striker is Real’s second major signing in five days as they prepare for a new season of confrontation against eternal rivals Barcelona.

German midfielder Toni Kroos moved from Bayern Munich on Thursday, just days after the 24-year-old helped Germany win the World Cup.

Real have also been linked with a move for Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper whose heroics helped Costa Rica reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Navas plays with Levante in the Spanish first division.

Rodriguez had only been at Monaco for one year but his sizzling performance at the World Cup made him the number one target for many European clubs.

In a FIFA.com poll released Monday, his volley against Uruguay in the last 16 was declared goal of the World Cup by more than four million voters — three quarters of those who took part.

Monaco paid 45 million euros (US$60m) when he signed from FC Porto of Portugal.

Monaco said in a statement that it had not wanted to sell Rodriguez, but that it was “proud to have carried out one of the biggest transfers in football history”.

Spanish sports daily Marca, which has close ties with Real Madrid’s board, said Real will pay 75 million euros straight away and up to five million more in add-ons.

If confirmed, the fee would make Rodriguez the fifth most expensive player in history behind Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo (both of Real) and Neymar and Luis Suarez of Barcelona.

Rodriguez went to the World Cup as Colombia’s second best-known striker. But Radamel Falcao was injured in January leaving the starring role to his Monaco teammate as Colombia reached the last 16 for the first time.

Rodriguez started his career at 16 for Colombian second division side Envigado FC and built up an immediate reputation.

In 2008, he was signed by Argentinian side Atletico Banfield where he became known as “James Bond of Banfield” after scoring an extraordinary left-footed lob for the unfashionable side in February 2010.

He moved to FC Porto in Portugal where more spectacular goals brought three league titles in three seasons. Monaco bought him in May 2013.

Rodriguez prides himself most in having been dubbed ‘El Pibe Nueva’ (the New Kid) in place of Carlos Valderrama, Colombia’s star of the 1990s, who was called ‘El Pibe’.

“It’s an honour to be considered the heir to ‘El Pibe’ at my age,” he told FIFA.com.