Rooney rejoins first club Everton
ENGLAND and Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney declared himself “ecstatic” after completing a move back to Everton the club where he first starred as a teenager yesterday.
The 31-year-old – who had become a periphera l figure under Jose Mourinho last season – signed a t wo-year contract on a free transfer, according to the BBC, bringing the curtain down on 13 trophy-laden years at Old Traf ford.
Rooney – whose move comes the day after United announced they had agreed terms with Everton over buying their leading scorer Romelu Lukaku – will hope the switch revives his international career which also stalled last season.
“It is some time since I said that the only Premier League club I would play for other than Manchester United was Everton, so I am delighted that the move has happened,” he said in a statement to the Press Association.
“Thirteen years ago I went to United with the intention of winning trophies and I have been fortunate to be a part of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
“I have come back to Everton because I believe [Everton manager] Ronald Koeman is building a team that can win something and I look forward to playing my part in making that a reality for the club I have supported since a boy,” added Rooney, who was United’s leading scorer five times and on another occasion shared the honours with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lukaku’s ‘dream’ comes true
Koeman said in Rooney – who in his time at United won, among other trophies, five Premier League tit les and a Champions League – he was buying a player with a surefire winner’s mentalit y.
“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 Koeman said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Lukaku said his move from Everton to Manchester United for a reported £75million ($97 million), breaking the transfer record for a deal between British clubs, is the opportunity he had always dreamed of as a child.
The 24-year-old Belgian interna- tional striker – Everton’s record Premier League goalscorer with 68 – said he hadn’t hesitated over the move, even though his former club Chelsea offered a similar fee but apparently balked at the sizeable commission his agent Mino Raiola demanded.
Lukaku made no mention of Chelsea, whose manager Antonio Conte is said to feel betrayed by the striker with whom he had spoken on several occasions since the end of last season.
“[Manchester United is] a club that is hungry to win the league again, to be dominant in the world again,” Lukaku told ESPN, who say they spoke to him after his medical.
“It’s the sort of opportunity I’ve always wanted since a child.
“When they came calling I didn’t have to think twice, so I’m really delighted to be part of history.”
Lukaku, who United manager Jose Mourinho sold to Everton for £28 million in 2014 while in his second spell in charge of Chelsea, said the United move was the perfect opportunity.
“Who would say no to the biggest club in the world?” said Lukaku, who is to reportedly be paid over £200,000 a week by United.
“The best stadium in England, the best fans. I mean, it’s the perfect opportunity. I always said I wanted to play for a team that’s challenging for every trophy that there is.
“I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, the dominant force.”