Ex-Everton star Michael Ball insists that he is gutted James Rodriguez has left the club.

The Colombia international has finally departed Goodison Park after a long-running summer transfer saga.

Of course, it seemed inevitable that he would be departing the club as soon as Carlo Ancelotti decided to abscond from Everton to join Real Madrid.

Rodriguez was continually linked with a move away throughout the summer transfer window, but no deal could be agreed.

The former Real star only made a total of 26 first-team appearances for the club, and never played for Everton at a packed Goodison Park.

However, he has now headed to Qatar to join Al-Rayyan, and Ball has expressed his discontent at the move, because he feels fans missed an opportunity to see a top player in the club’s royal blue.

He said: “I’m gutted to be honest. I think a lot of Everton fans are. Because of the situation with COVID last year, we didn’t get a chance to see him at a packed Goodison Park and we just don’t know what level he could have achieved for the club.”

In total, Rodriguez scored six goals and registered nine assists for Everton but will now be playing in Qatar, having signed a contract until 2024 with the Stars League club.