James Rodriguez seals Atletico Nacional move

BOGOTA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Veteran midfielder James Rodriguez has returned to his native Colombia to join Atletico Nacional, the Medellin-based club said on Thursday.

The 35-year-old arrives as a free agent after parting ways with Minnesota United in July.

"Welcome, James. You have joined a family that will shower you with love, where we are sure to share glorious moments," Atletico Nacional president Sebastian Arango said in a statement on the club's website.

Rodriguez has not played in Colombia since leaving boyhood club Envigado to join Argentina's Banfield in 2008.

He has since had spells at Porto, Monaco, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton, among other clubs.

Despite injury struggles that have limited his club appearances in recent years, Rodriguez has remained a key figure for Colombia and is his country's most capped player.

Atletico Nacional is currently fifth in Colombia's top-flight standings with 12 points from five outings, eight points behind leader America de Cali.