Wayne Rooney has completed his move from Everton to D.C. United in MLS.
The former England captain departs Goodison Park after just one season back at his boyhood club, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with D.C. Rooney has long been linked with a switch to MLS and reports emerged late on Wednesday that he had agreed to sign with the MLS side.
The 32-year-old then posted a picture on his Twitter page from an airplane on Thursday as he departed for the United States, before Everton and United provided confirmation of the transfer.
"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," Rooney said in a release. "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."
A distinguished career in the Premier League saw Rooney become Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer between two spells with Everton, while he is also England's top marksman in international play.
Rooney joins a D.C. side currently toiling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in MLS ahead of the opening of the new Audi Field on July 14. Rooney is expected to make his D.C. debut that night against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“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 in a release. “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.”
