Rooney completes Everton return

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Wayne Rooney signs Everton deal

Thirteen years after leaving the club for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney has finalised a deal to go back to Everton.

Wayne Rooney has completed his return to Everton after the Toffees agreed an undisclosed fee with Manchester United.

The 31-year-old has agreed a two-year-deal at Goodison Park after passing a medical on Saturday.

Rooney left Everton for United in 2004 for a reported fee of £27-million, which made him the world’s most expensive teenager at the time.

He went on to win 12 major trophies for the club in 13 years, including five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.

He was named captain by Louis van Gaal in 2014 and broke Bobby Charlton’s long-standing scoring record at United last season, eventually finishing on 253 goals in 559 appearances.

Rooney, England’s record goal-scorer, fell down the pecking order under manager Jose Mourinho last season and United’s pursuit of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku prompted talk that he would leave before next season.

Mourinho said in a statement: ‘It is no secret that I have long been an admirer of Wayne; he has been a model professional throughout his time at the club and will remain in the history books for many years to come.

‘It is never easy to see a great player playing less football than he would like and I could not stand in his way when he asked to go back to Everton. His experience, focus and determination will be missed and I wish him well for the future,’ he added.

Rooney is the latest signing in a busy transfer window at Goodison Park, with Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane secured as the Toffees look to close the gap on the top six.

‘Wayne has shown me that ambition that we need and that winning mentality – he knows how to win titles and I’m really happy he’s decided to come home,’ said Everton manager Ronald Koeman.

‘He loves Everton and he was desperate to come back. He is still only 31 and I don’t have any doubts about his qualities. It’s fantastic he’s here,’ he said.

This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za