Born in 1985, Rooney showed immense talent and promise from a very young age. He joined the youth academy of his hometown club Everton in 1996 and made his professional debut for the Toffees in 2002 at the age of just 16, instantly announcing himself as a rising star with his pace, power, and clinical finishing ability.
An illustrious career followed which saw the forward win every trophy possible at club level.
Everton 2002-04
Wayne Rooney’s career began with his boyhood club Everton, where he joined the youth academy in 1996 at the age of 10. It quickly became clear that Rooney was an exceptional talent, with his power, physical strength, and innate goal-scoring ability drawing widespread attention even as a teenager.
Rooney made his professional debut for Everton in 2002 at the age of just 16, becoming the youngest player to score in the Premier League at the time. Over the next two seasons, Rooney established himself as a regular in the Everton first team, his dynamic performances and match-winning contributions endearing him to the passionate Goodison Park faithful.
Rooney’s breakout moment came in October 2002, when he scored a stunning last-minute winner against defending champions Arsenal, a goal that highlighted his immense potential.
He continued to deliver a string of influential displays, helping the Toffees qualify for the UEFA Champions League in the 2004-05 season. However, Everton’s financial constraints meant they were unable to retain their young star, and in the summer of 2004, Rooney secured a high-profile £25.6 million move to Manchester United, a transfer that would shape the rest of his illustrious career.
Manchester United 2004-17
Following his breakout years at Everton, Wayne Rooney secured a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2004. At Old Trafford, Rooney quickly established himself as a talismanic figure, forming a potent attacking partnership with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez as United dominated English football over the next decade.
Rooney’s combination of skill, power, and goal-scoring instinct made him an indispensable asset in Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering side, and he played a pivotal role in United’s run of five Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League triumph, and four League Cup victories between 2004 and 2013. His tireless work rate, willingness to track back, and ability to contribute in so many different areas of the pitch also made him a firm favorite with the club’s passionate supporters.
Rooney’s crowning achievement at Manchester United came in 2017, when he surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing club scoring record, netting his 253rd goal for the Red Devils. This landmark achievement cemented his status as a true United legend, with his name now written into the history books alongside the greats who had come before him.
Though his later years at the club were marked by some high-profile disputes and declining form, Rooney’s immense contribution to Manchester United’s sustained success during his prime years will ensure his legacy as one of the greatest players to have ever worn the famous red shirt.
Everton 2017-18
Wayne Rooney returned to his boyhood club Everton in the summer of 2017 in search of a new challenge. At 31 years old, Rooney still had plenty to offer, and his homecoming was warmly welcomed by the Goodison Park faithful, who were eager to see their iconic former player don the royal blue jersey once again.
Rooney slotted seamlessly back into the Everton starting XI, providing experience, leadership, and a touch of class to the Toffees’ attack. While no longer the explosive, all-action force of his youth, Rooney’s game had evolved, and he demonstrated his ability to control the tempo of matches and create chances for his teammates with his excellent vision and distribution.
He rolled back the years on occasion, netting some trademark long-range strikes and last-minute winners that rekindled memories of his glory days at the club. The highlight of his return to Merseyside was scoring a hat trick against West Ham United, which included a stunning goal from the halfway line.
Despite Everton’s inconsistent form during Rooney’s second spell, his return to Merseyside provided a nostalgic link to the club’s past, and his positive influence on the dressing room and the supporters ensured he departed Goodison Park with his legendary status firmly intact when he left for MLS in 2018.
DC United 2018-19
After leaving Everton in 2018, Wayne Rooney embarked on a new chapter in his career, signing with MLS club DC United. At 32 years old, Rooney was entering the twilight of his playing days, but he still had plenty to offer both on and off the pitch.
In Washington, Rooney’s experience, leadership, and world-class ability shone through as he helped transform DC United’s fortunes. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut and going on to net 12 goals and provide 6 assists in just 20 appearances, inspiring the team to a playoff berth.
Rooney’s influence extended beyond the field, as he mentored the club’s younger players and elevated the overall professionalism and standards within the squad. Though his time in the US was relatively brief, Rooney’s impact was undeniable, and he left a lasting legacy as one of the most high-profile international stars to play the MLS in recent years.
Derby County 2020-21
After his successful spell in the MLS, Rooney returned to England in 2020 to take on a player-coach role at Championship club Derby County. At this stage of his career, the former England captain was no longer the explosive, all-action forward of his prime, but he still possessed the technical ability and tactical nous to make a valuable contribution.
Rooney’s primary focus was on passing on his wealth of experience to Derby’s younger players, providing guidance and mentorship both on the training ground and during matches. On the pitch, he demonstrated his enduring quality, showcasing his vision, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of games.
Despite Derby’s struggles with financial troubles and a points deduction, Rooney’s professionalism and leadership helped stabilize the club and earned him widespread respect from players and supporters alike. Eventually, Rooney went on to begin his career in management at the club.
England 2003-18
Outside of his club career, Wayne Rooney also made a profound impact at the international level, cementing his legacy as one of England’s greatest ever players.
Rooney made his debut for the senior national team in 2003 at the age of 17, and over the next 14 years, he would go on to represent England a record 120 times – the most of any outfield player in the country’s history.
From the outset, Rooney’s dynamic performances and match-winning ability made him a vital piece in England’s lineup. His energy, fearlessness, and clinical finishing were crucial in helping England qualify for major tournaments, with Rooney playing a key role in the team’s runs to the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.
Despite the disappointment of England’s failure to win a major trophy during Rooney’s tenure, his individual achievements at the international level are nothing short of remarkable.
He is England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 53 strikes. Rooney’s bravery, passion, and unwavering commitment to the England cause made him a beloved figure amongst the country’s supporters, and his legacy as a true icon of English football is assured.
