It feels great for Rooney to be back at Everton

MANCHESTER United’s former England soccer captain Wayne Rooney on Sunday rejoined his boyhood club Everton on a two-year deal after 13 trophy-laden years at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old, who has moved to Goodison Park for an undisclosed fee, spoke of his excitement at returning to a club where he began his career after coming through the youth ranks.

“(Winning trophies with Everton) would be the pinnacle,” Rooney said. “I really feel now the club is moving in the right direction, bringing the right calibre of players in. I want to be part of it and hopefully part of a successful Everton team.

“It’s a great feeling to be back. I’m excited, I cannot wait to meet the lads, get on the training pitch and then get on the pitch to play. I’m ecstatic – I just cannot wait to get back playing.”

Rooney exploded on to the scene when he netted a stunning winner for Everton against Arsenal aged 16 and he moved to United two years later for a fee reported by British media to be £25 million.

Scoring a hat-trick on his United debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, Rooney went on to play more than 550 games for the club, netting 253 goals to become their all-time leading scorer.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes Rooney can make a real contribution next season.

“He is still only 31 and I don’t have any doubts about his qualities,” said the Dutchman. “It’s fantastic he’s here.”

With a fee agreed between Everton and United for Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to move in the opposite direction, the way was clear for Rooney to leave Old Trafford after 13 years.

Rooney made 77 appearances for Everton and scored 17 goals between 2002 and 2004.