Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is a footballer who currently plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He wears the number 8 shirt for his club, and is generally given the number 9 for his country. Rooney was brought up in a suburb of eastern Liverpool called Croxteth, where he and his two brothers attended De La Salle School.

As a player, Rooney is noted not only for the deft touch and pace typical of a teenage virtuoso, but also for his strength and physical presence which are more usually the hallmarks of mature players. While constantly surrounded by media hype and observation since first bursting onto the scene in 2002, it was not until his performances at the UEFA European Championships in Portugal during 2004 that he gained a reputation on the world stage as he spearheaded the English attack – several commentators comparing his impact to that made by the legendary Brazilian Pele at a similar age during the 1958 World Cup. Other commentators, perhaps prematurely, have compared him to Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.

Premiership breakthrough

Rooney first gained national prominence in October 2002 when he became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Premiership at 16 years of age, while playing for Everton. His goal was a sensational last-minute winner against the then-League champions Arsenal that consigned them to their first league defeat in almost a year.

England career

He has also figured prominently in recent England international matches, after having become the youngest ever player to play for England, in a friendly against Australia, in February 2003 and also set a record as the youngest player to score for England. In 2004 Rooney became the youngest player ever to score in the European Football Championships on 17 June 2004 when he scored twice against Switzerland; however the Swiss player, Johan Vonlanthen, broke this record against France four days later.

Transfers

Before turning 17 and becoming eligible for a professional contract, he was playing for 100 a week and living with his family on a council estate. Now, the teenage sensation has raised that several times and earns an estimated 50,000 (?73,500 / $90,000) a week. Following intense media coverage of Rooney at the 2004 European Championships, Everton claimed that they would not transfer his contract for less than 50 million pounds. The club offered Rooney a new contract for 50,000 a week. This, however, was turned down by Rooney on the 27 August 2004, leaving Manchester United and Newcastle United to battle for his services.

The Times newspaper reported rumours that Newcastle’s initial bid was made at the request of Rooney’s agent, who eventually made 1.5 million from the deal and employs the son of the Newcastle United chairman. In return for making a bid that would force Manchester United to try to buy the player a year earlier than they had planned, Newcastle would be allowed to bid for a Manchester United defender.

Suspicions were further raised because at that point in time Newcastle United had little need for a striker having already got three world class forwards at the club. The Newcastle United bid succeeded in forcing Manchester United to enter the bidding. Rooney handed in a transfer request to Everton and on 31 August, 2004 Rooney signed for Manchester United after a deal worth up to 27 million was agreed.

The initial fee of 22m is paid directly to Everton Football Club, the rest of the money depends on appearances and/or success at Manchester United and/or England. It is unlikely the fee will reach the maximum 27m due to the complex nature of the contract drawn up by Everton and Manchester United. A final fee in the region of 25m is more likely. He made his debut for the club on 28 September, 2004 in the Champions League against Fenerbahçe, scoring a hat-trick and also an assist.

Rooney’s transfer fee is the second highest for an exclusively British deal, with only his new teammate, Rio Ferdinand commanding a higher fee.