Everton forward Rooney has “agreed a deal in principle” to join MLS side D.C United, potentially bringing a glittering Premier League career to an end.
When Everton took on West Ham Sunday evening, one name was conspicuously absent; boyhood fan and talisman Wayne Rooney. The 32-year-old striker was missing through injury, but If reports from American and British media are to be believed, the former Man United striker is set to leave the Merseyside club for the US.
Indeed, England’s record goalscorer supposedly said his final goodbyes at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground yesterday. If so, Wayne Rooney’s 63rd minute substitution against Huddersfield could have potentially been the last time we see him grace English football.
Wayne Rooney has agreed a deal 'in principle' to join DC United this summer.
— Total Guesswork (@totalguesswork) May 10, 2018
He joins a long list of Englishmen to go to the MLS
Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Defoe erm 🤔 Bradley & Shaun Wright-Phillips, Liam Ridgewell. Nigel Reo-Coker, Darren Huckerby,#Rooney pic.twitter.com/K3D3WpRfxH
Turbulent Year in Merseyside
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When the announcement was made that Rooney would be leaving Manchester United last summer, the links to MLS sides were already there. Many expected the former England captain to move to the riches of China or the US, but he chose the romantic move to boyhood club, Everton.
Following a summer of unprecedented spending, both Everton and Rooney began slowly, languishing in the relegation zone by mid-October. This lead to manager Ronald Koeman’s sacking, and under his replacement Sam Allardyce, results for player and club improved.
In fact, Rooney is Everton’s top scorer with 11 this season, and Everton ended safely in mid-table. However, rumours of disagreement with Allardyce and a desire for an American adventure have seen the striker’s links with MLS pick up over the last week.
A Fresh Start in Red and Black?
As multiple sources have claimed, Rooney is highly likely to swap the blue of Everton for red and black once again, albeit that of D.C United and not Manchester. The capital club have been on the wane for years, but have a new stadium to look forward to.
They also have 2 available marquee slots, and Rooney could be a wise investment – both on the pitch and off it. D.C have struggled in recent years, and have lacked serious star power recently enjoyed by opponents like LA Galaxy and NYFC. With Rooney, they will gain a talismanic striker, fixing their dearth of star names and the problem position of striker, which he will no doubt occupy.
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While on the surface it seems both risky for player and club, in time it could prove to be a match made in heaven. For D.C, they’ll be getting a marquee name to build their team around, potentially improving results and helping to fill seats in their new stadium.
For Rooney, it represents a chance to finally live his American dream and wind down his trophy-laden career, while apparently earning a whopping $300, 000 per week wages.