Wayne Rooney is one of the most recognisable football players of the past two decades. His rise to the top of the world game was quick, but not surprising as he had been hailed as a potential great long before his debut in the Premier League.

Teenage sensation

After scoring his first goal in the English top division against Arsenal before his 17th birthday, the boy from Liverpool was instantly named as the biggest talent in the country. From that moment on Rooney was destined to write his name into the history books. After two years spearheading Everton’s attack, he moved in what was a record transfer fee at the time to Manchester United.

United Legend

His time at Old Trafford lifted his profile to stratospheric levels, that’s because on the pitch he was devastating. In a 13-year stay with the Red Devils, he became a legend of the club; by the time he left in 2017 he’d become the club’s record goal scorer with 253 league goals.

To the USA and Back

A brief return to his boyhood club Everton, was followed by another high profile move as he headed to the United States to play for DC United. His goalscoring continued as he averaged around a goal every other game for the MLS franchise, before returning to the UK with Derby County. Initially joining as a player/coach before retiring as a player to concentrate on being their manager. He took over a struggling team who looked like being relegated from the Championship, but Rooney’s Rams secured their stay in the English second tier on the final day of the season.

However, the historic English club have fallen on hard times, and it has been rumoured that Rooney has recently deferred taking all of his weekly salary. With the aim of it being used to help pay the  wages of staff at Derby County, as the administrators were called in to manage the finances. Following the need to bring in those administrators, it has brought about a points deduction, which as led many to believe The Rams are favourites for the drop. This is backed up by the latest Championship betting odds on Coral, with Derby so far behind the other teams in the league, it is hard to see how they are going to survive.

Money Matters

Whilst issues on the pitch are concerning, money isn’t an issue for the former England player who is also record scorer for his country. As his success has brought him some big salaries from his clubs, his wages across his career have extended into millions, with a rumoured £300,000 a week deal at Manchester United then £150,000 a week on his return to Everton. That’s without adding in his $3.5million deal, he earned playing in the US capital. Whilst still a sizeable sum, it was dwarfed by those usually seen in US sports, take the  salary of Atlanta Braves second baseman, Ozzie Albies, for example. But little did that matter to the Englishman, who has earned just as much away from the pitch as he did on it.

Rooney’s profile was so influential that he had a number of endorsements which have proved to be just as lucrative. Rooney was the face of the UK version of the world-renowned football video game franchise FIFA between 2016 and 2012, added to boot deals from Nike, and profitable partnerships with Coca-Cola and automotive giants Ford.

He’s not of course the only Rooney, who has seen success, too. His wife Colleen has rose to prominence, she is said to be worth over £10million in her own right. From becoming a columnist with the magazine, OK!, Mrs Rooney has released a best-selling workout DVD, presented her own TV show and become an ambassador for well-established retail brands in the UK, Littlewoods and Asda. But there’s no doubt, the influence of the Rooney brand made famous by her husband had definitely helped her get a foot onto the social ladder.

Wayne is already said to be worth over £100million. But if he manages to keep his current club, Derby County in the Championship for another year then his value as a manager will be heading to new heights. And who knows where that might lead for one of English football’s most successful players, and highest earners of a generation.

You May Also Like

Nat Fyfe Biography, Position, Age, Weight, Family, Injury, Stats, Instagram

The Australian Football League’s Fremantle Football Club is home to Nathan Fyfe,…

Scott Pendlebury Parents: Who Are Scott Pendlebury’s Parents?

Former captain of Collingwood of the Australian Football League, Scott Pendlebury was…

Norman Powell Children: Does Norman Powell Have Kids?

Norman Powell, a professional basketball player from the United States, was born…

Thiago Silva Position, Trophies, Age, Height, Family, FIFA 23, Transfermarkt, Instagram

Thiago Emiliano da Silva was born on 22 September 1984 and is…