LONDON - Wayne Rooney completed a dream move back to Everton on Sunday - and revealed he has been wearing their club pyjamas since departing for Manchester United in 2004.
Rooney has returned to Goodison Park on a two-year deal having won every club trophy possible with United.
The 31-year-old, who will wear the same No10 shirt as his hero Duncan Ferguson, said: ‘I’ve kept it quiet for the last 13 years but I’ve actually been wearing Everton pyjamas at home with my kids.
"Throughout the summer I’ve been working out where I was going to go. I spoke to my agent and said: “Listen, you need to speak to Everton, see if it can happen”.
A post shared by Wayne Rooney (@waynerooney) on Jul 9, 2017 at 7:13am PDT
‘Winning trophies with Everton would be the pinnacle. I really feel the club is bringing the right calibre of players in. We’re certainly capable of winning one of those cups.’
Rooney is Everton’s sixth summer signing and has agreed a pay cut of 50 per cent to facilitate the deal, as revealed by Sportsmail on Saturday. Ronald Koeman was a key factor in the decision to rejoin his boyhood club, with the manager’s public admiration last season sparking excitement over a return.
Wayne Rooney tribute by Sky Sports. Worth a watch! pic.twitter.com/FaRRpCbUY2
— Premier League Stuff (@EPLStuff) July 9, 2017
‘That had a huge impact,’ added Rooney. ‘I’m not just coming back because it’s the team I support, the team I grew up playing for.’
Koeman said: ‘It’s all about his fitness and his desire but he has shown me the ambition we need. We have spoken several times about Everton and what we are striving to achieve. I’m happy that he finally decided to come.’
Our special video celebrates @WayneRooney's 13 years at #MUFC... #FarewellToALegend pic.twitter.com/ZpQn3kRpZ1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 9, 2017