MOBBED IN THE ROO.S.A
US adventure begins
WAYNE ROONEY brought the curtain down on his glittering Premier League career after joining DC United yesterday.
The former England skipper (left) claimed he is fulfilling a career ambition in signing a three-and-ahalf-year deal worth £10m with the Washington club.
Rooney, 32, is set to make his MLS debut two weeks tomorrow against Vancouver Whitecaps, when DC open their 20,000-seat stadium, Audi Field.
“It is fantastic to be joining DC United at such an exciting time in the club’s history, with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks,” said Rooney.
“Moving to America and MLS fulfils another career
ambition for me. I have the hunger to be a success here and will give DC 100 per cent – as I have always done for every team I have ever played for.”
Rooney scored 11 times in 40 appearances for Everton last season.
He rejoined his first club after a glorious Manchester United career in which he won 11 trophies, including five Premier League titles, and became the club’s record goalscorer.
But despite being Everton’s top scorer last term, he failed to find the net after mid-December.
New boss Marco Silva took over in May and made it clear Rooney was surplus to requirements.
Former England team-mate David Beckham, who owns a new MLS team being set up in Miami, believes the Stateside move makes sense.
He said: “It’s great for Wayne. I also think it is obviously great for the league, but I think for Wayne personally.
“Obviously he decided to go back to his boyhood club, which was great for him. It was a great occasion to spend the time he spent back at Everton.
Great
“But I think it’s the right move for him. It’s exciting for the fans.
“So to actually see him perform in their league is something that’s special.
“I think he’ll do really well. DC is the right club for him. It’s a great city, it’s a great city to move to with his family and enjoy the time that he’s going to be there.”
DC are desperate for Rooney to help fill their new stadium and lift the side off the bottom of the table, where they sit after just two wins from their opening 12 games.
“This is a seminal moment for our fans and organisation,” said DC United chief executive Jason Levien.
“Wayne is a global soccer icon and his presence at DC United will elevate our product on the pitch and soccer as a whole in our city and in this country.
“Wayne has thrived when competing at the most elite levels of soccer and we’re thrilled to have his leadership as we enter this new era at Audi Field.”
An Everton statement read: “From everyone at Everton, we thank Wayne for his service to the club and wish him every success in the next three and a half years with DC United.”