Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney has rejoined his boyhood club, Everton, after spending thirteen (13) years at Old Trafford.
The UK Telegraph reports that Rooney took a significant pay cut on the £350,000-a-week he earned at Old Trafford because he was so determined to play again for the club that launched his Premier League career when he was just 16. Sources close to the player have insisted he wanted to make sure his three sons saw him play in Everton blue before he retired.
Everton football club confirmed the move on Sunday afternoon with manager Ronald Koeman saying Wayne Rooney has the ambition the club needs.
The statement reads: “Everton can confirm that Wayne Rooney has rejoined the Club from Manchester United on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
“England’s all-time leading goalscorer, the 31-year-old boyhood Blue made 77 appearances for Everton and scored 17 goals between 2002 – when he made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old – and 2004 when he departed for Old Trafford.
“Wayne has shown me that ambition that we need and that winning mentality – he knows how to win titles and I’m really happy he’s decided to come home,” said Everton manager Ronald Koeman.
“He loves Everton and he was desperate to come back. He is still only 31 and I don’t have any doubts about his qualities. It’s fantastic he’s here.
“In a 15-year career, Rooney has won the Champions League, Europa League, five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup and scored 323 goals”, the statement added.
Ronald Koeman said: “Wayne has shown me that ambition that we need and that winning mentality – he knows how to win titles and I’m really happy he’s decided to come home.
“He loves Everton and he was desperate to come back. He is still only 31 and I don’t have any doubts about his qualities. It’s fantastic he’s here,” the Everton manager said.
Similarly, Rooney received an emotional send off from United manager Jose Mourinho.
“It is no secret that I have long been an admirer of Wayne,” said Mourinho, who flies with the rest United team to the USA for a pre-season tour later today. “He has been a model professional throughout his time at the club and will remain in the history books for many years to come.
“It is never easy to see a great player playing less football than he would like and I could not stand in his way when he asked to go back to Everton. His experience, focus and determination will be missed and I wish him well for the future,” Mourinho said.
Rooney made no attempt to mask his excitement at his homecoming. “It’s a great feeling to be back.
“I cannot wait to meet the lads, get on the training pitch and then get on the pitch to play. I’m ecstatic.”
“I’m not just coming back because it’s the team I support, the team I grew up playing for – I’m coming back because I feel the club can move forward and be successful,” said Rooney, who scored 17 goals in 77 games in his first spell at Goodison Park.
“I want to be part of it. There will be pressure on me to perform, but I’m ready to go. I believe I can help move this club forward and be more successful on the pitch,” Rooney said.
