Former Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney is set to join Derby County in January, 2020 and leave current club DC United.
Derby County have confirmed an agreement in place to sign Wayne Rooney from January 2020. The Manchester United record goalscorer will join on an 18-month contract, with the option of extending it by a further year. This means that Rooney will spend the rest of the MLS season representing DC United.
Derby County were looking to bring Wayne Rooney in as a player-coach. And that is exactly what has happened, it seems, with Wayne Rooney expressing his delight at sealing a move to further his career as a player, seal a return to England and also get to work in the field of coaching.
Rooney said,“ I am very excited about the opportunity that Derby County have provided me with. I am looking forward to joining Phillip Cocu, his coaching staff and the first-team squad from the start of January. I am sure I can make a big contribution and can’t wait to meet everyone, especially the supporters.”
“I am equally excited to begin my coaching career at Derby County working with both the first team and Academy. I must also take this opportunity to thank DC United, their owners, executives and supporters who have been superb to work with. I want them to know that I will give my all in support of our push for the play-offs.”
DC United, as per the report from Washington Post, had started proceedings to eventually replace Rooney from a while ago. Wayne Rooney’s England links are reportedly down to his family, with Coleen Rooney pushing for a return to be close to home.
Early reports quoted Rooney as interested in returning to England to be a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff once he hangs up his boots.
But, there is a catch in the fact that the Manchester United icon is currently on £85,000 per week contract at DC United and may have had to take a pay cut in order to complete his return to England. The Sun though, report that Derby County were ready to match his current wages in order to bring him to the club. It is unclear as to whether that is the case.
Wayne Rooney had a contract till 2021 with DC United and has been a huge success for the Major League Soccer outfit, with a return of 23 goals and 14 assists in 43 matches in the regular season. His form is proof the Englishman can still cut it at a good level.
But, the interesting part will be as to the position in which the former Manchester United forward will be played. Derby County are well stocked in the forward department, which means Rooney is likely to be played as a midfielder or be a fringe squad player at best, if played purely as a forward.
It is worth noting that the move is forced by Coleen Rooney’s wish to return to England to be closer to home and family and it will be interesting to see if Rooney is indeed successful upon his return to England.
