Beckham backs Rodriguez to be Real hit

David Beckham believes new signing James Rodriguez has all the qualities to be a success at Real Madrid.

The former England captain has watched on as an interested spectator over the close-season as the Spanish giants – with whom he spent four years as a player from 2003 to 2007 – have looked to improve last season’s UEFA Champions League-winning squad.

Rodriguez’s arrival is the most high-profile at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the new campaign, with Real paying a reported €80million to bring in the playmaker from Monaco following a superb World Cup.

The Colombian arrives with his reputation at an all-time high, having won the golden boot in Brazil with six goals – including a stunning volley against Uruguay – as he helped his country to the quarter-finals.

And Beckham believes that by signing the 23-year-old his former club have secured one of the game’s standout talents.

“He is a great player, obviously he had a great World Cup,” said Beckham, who visited Real’s training camp on Saturday as they take part in the International Champions Cup in the United States.

“He is a young player that is obviously very talented and who scored, for me, the best goal in the World Cup.

“As a Real Madrid and Manchester United fan, I am happy to see him at Real Madrid.”