D.C. United announce they have reached an agreement to sign international soccer superstar Wayne Rooney on a permanent transfer. Rooney, who was most recently with Everton F.C., is the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United F.C. and the England National Team, having scored 208 goals in 16 seasons in the English Premier League — the second most in league history. He is expected to make his United debut in the inaugural match at Audi Field on July 14 at 8:00 PM ET against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
"It is fantastic to be joining D.C. United at such an exciting time in the club’s history with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks," Wayne Rooney said. "Moving to America and MLS fulfills another career ambition for me. I have the hunger to be a success here and will give D.C. 100 percent - as I have always done for every team I have ever played for. When I visited earlier this summer I was really impressed with everyone I met connected with the club, and of course the new Audi Field. Now I can’t wait to get on the pitch in a United shirt and join my new teammates to bring success to this club."
Rooney, 32, signed a three-and-a-half year contract and will occupy a Designated Player spot on the club’s roster. When the international transfer window opens on July 10, he will officially be added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“This is a seminal moment for our fans and organization. Wayne is a global soccer icon and his presence at D.C. United will elevate our product on the pitch and soccer as a whole in our city and in this country,” Jason Levien, United managing general partner and CEO, said. “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.”
Rooney started his professional career with Everton after rising through their youth ranks, making his debut on Aug. 17, 2002, at just 16 years, 9 months and 24 days old. In two seasons with the Toffees, Rooney scored 15 goals in 71 appearances and his impressive performances for Everton led to a $35 million transfer fee to Manchester United on Aug. 31, 2004, for the then 18-year-old; a record at the time for a player under the age of 20.
He played 13 seasons for Manchester United before returning to his boyhood club, Everton, for the 2017-18 season. In total, Rooney scored 208 Premier League goals in 491 appearances and is the second all-time leading scorer behind Alan Shearer (260). The forward is also the all-time leader in shots (1,237), third all-time in assists (103) and tied for 14th for EPL appearances (491). He won the Premier League title five times (the sixth most in the 26-year history of the top division) and earned The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year award for his performance in the 2009-10 season for Manchester United.
“Wayne is undoubtedly one of the best players in Premier League history and his goal scoring record for club and country speaks for itself,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said. “He is a world-class player and he elevates those around him, both through his work-ethic and winning mentality. We are beyond excited to add someone of Rooney’s caliber and we are thrilled to welcome him to D.C.”
Rooney became a global soccer icon at Manchester United in his 13-year stint at the club. The teenager immediately featured for the Red Devils. At 18 years of age, Rooney became the second youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to score a hat trick in the 6-2 win over Turkey’s Fenerbahçe S.K. on Sept. 28, 2004, which was also his full Manchester United debut. After his impressive debut, Rooney went on to score 253 goals and record 146 assists in 559 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United. He broke the all-time goalscoring record for Manchester United on Jan. 21, 2017, when he notched his 250th goal for the club, overtaking Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Rooney captured 16 trophies during his time in Manchester, including five Premier League titles (sixth most individual titles all-time), the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and the FA Cup in 2006.
On the international stage, Rooney solidified himself as one of the best players to ever represent the England National Team. His impressive displays for Everton as a teenager led to his first call-up to the England National Team at just 17-years-old. On Feb. 12, 2003, Rooney made his England debut against Australia in an international friendly and became the second youngest player in England history to earn a cap. In his sixth appearance for The Three Lions, Rooney became the youngest ever goalscorer for England when he scored in the 2-1 win over Macedonia in a UEFA European Qualifier at 17 years and 317 days old. The forward went on to become the most capped field player in England history (119) and is the all-time leader in goals for The Three Lions (53) after overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton (49) on Sept. 8, 2015, against Switzerland. Rooney has appeared in England’s last three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) as well as three UEFA European Championships (2004, 2012, 2016) and captained his country 23 times across all competitions.
Season tickets for the 2018 D.C. United season at their new state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium at Audi Field are on sale now at
dcunited.com/tickets
. Fans can guarantee their seat at Wayne Rooney’s Audi Field debut by securing a 2018 D.C. United season ticket.
Wayne Rooney
Jersey Number:
9
Position:
Midfielder/Forward
Height:
5’9”
Weight:
182 lbs.
Birthdate:
Oct. 24, 1985
Country:
England
Birthplace:
Croxeth, Liverpool, England
Caps:
119 (53 goals)
Status:
International
Previous Club:
Everton F.C. (English Premier League)
Transaction:
United have reached an agreement to sign English International Wayne Rooney from Everton F.C. on a permanent transfer and signed him to a three-and-a-half year Designated Player contract upon completion of the International Transfer Certificate.
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Wayne Rooney
Career Highlights:
- Five English Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- UEFA Champions League crown (2007-08)
- UEFA Europa League champion (2016-17)
- FA Cup winner (2016)
- FIFA Club World Cup winner (2008)
- Four time English League Cup winner (2006, 2009, 2010, 2017)
- Five time English Super Cup winner (2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017)
- Three time World Cup participant with England (2006, 2010, 2014)
- Three time European Championship participant with England (2004, 2008, 2012)
- England Senior Men's Player of the Year (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015)
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2004)
- Premier League Player of the Season (2009-10)
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year award (2009-10)
- PFA Players’ Team of the Year selection (2005–06, 2009–10, 2011–12)
- FWA Footballer of the Year (2009–10)
- Manchester United Players' Player of the Year (2009–10)
