Wayne Rooney has returned home! Everton completed the signing of the 31-year-old striker from Manchester United today, with thirteen years service at Old Trafford rewarded in the form of a free transfer.
Rooney, a former England captain, leaves United as the club’s leading goalscorer, with 253 goals in 559 appearances since joining in 2004. With his place in the starting line-up no longer assured, he has returned to the only other club he knows to see out his playing career.
A raw 16-year-old, he announced his arrival with a thunderous strike past David Seaman in 2002 to bring Arsenal’s year-long unbeaten run to an end. Rooney signed for Manchester United in 2004, for a record £25.6m fee. The fairytale continued with a hat-trick on his debut in the 6 – 2 win over Fenerbahce.
Since then, it’s been a mixed bag for the Liverpool-born star. There were always more highs than lows but because of the peaks he scaled, the troughs seemed lower. None more so than the 2006 when he saw red against Portugal as England exited at the quarter-final stage, on penalties.
Everton are signing an experienced player to guide youngsters through. While Rooney can still drive a team forward, his path through the press minefield will be invaluable for the likes of Ross Barkley, 23, who are already media ‘targets’.
Whatever happens next season, Everton have definitely come out on top of this transfer window.
