Wayne Rooney

October 24, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Wayne Rooney was born on October 24, 1985. He rose to international stardom as a player for Manchester United, the English Premier League. He has become captain for both his club and the national team. After 13 years, he retired from international competition and became the player-manager of the English club Derby County. Currently, he manages the Major League Soccer club D.D. United. Although he and Coleen Rooney have been together for 19 years, his personal life is almost as frequently covered in the media as his professional life. Celebrate his successes along with his special day right here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Wayne Mark Rooney

Nickname:

Wazza, Hustler, Pit bull, Roo, The White Pele, The Wonder Boy

Birth date:

October 24, 1985

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 9"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$145 million

Background

At the age of nine, Wayne Mark Rooney, better known as Wayne Rooney, entered the Everton Club Academy. He made his professional debut at age 16, scoring a sensational last-minute winner to put an end to Arsenal’s unbeaten 30-game streak. At that time, he was the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. As a member of the English national team from 2003 to 2004, he was also the team’s youngest player. He helped them advance to the quarterfinals of the 2004 European Championship. Also in 2004, he moved to soccer powerhouse Manchester United, with an astounding transfer fee for an 18-year-old.

Rooney led United to a Premier League Championship and a Carling Cup win from 2006 to 2007. From the 2007 to 2008 season, he contributed to the club’s Premier League and Champions League titles. Rooney scored the only goal in the team’s 1-0 win in the tournament final to secure their first FIFA Club World Cup Championship. The following season, they won their third consecutive league title. From 2010 to 2011 and 2012 to 2013, Rooney went on to be part of United’s league-title-winning squads. Rooney returned to Everton soccer Club in July 2017 at the age of 31 as a five-time Premier League winner. He finished as the club’s top goalscorer with 11 goals in all competitions in the 2017 to 2018 season. He signed with Major League Soccer side D.C. United in June 2018. Despite only playing the last half of the season, he finished as the club’s top goalscorer. In 2020, he moved on to become a player and coach for Derby County in the English soccer Championship League. A year later, he retired and became the manager of the team.

His personal life is almost as colorful as his professional life. In 2008, he married his long-time love, secondary schoolmate, and television presenter, Coleen McLoughlin. The pair’s relationship has been the subject of gossip in the country’s tabloid industry. They are parents to four boys: Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph, and Cas Mac.

Career timeline

2004

An Expensive Teenager

Manchester United signs 18-year-old Rooney in a deal worth 25.6 million pounds ($35,000,000.00).

2004

The Hat-Trick Debut

In his first game with Manchester United against Fenerbahce, Rooney scores an amazing hat-trick and sets up a goal to beat Turkey 6-2.

2014

The Man. United Captain

Team manager Roy Hodgson names Rooney as the squad’s new captain.

2018

The Last International Game

Rooney ends his record-breaking international career with England in their match against the U.S., in which he wins his 120th and final England cap.

2022

The Coaching Duties

D.C. United appoints Rooney as their new head coach.

Why We Love Wayne Rooney

He’s loyal to his birth land
As Rooney’s paternal grandparents were from Ireland, he had the chance to play for the country. He decided against it, as he was born in England and considered himself to be a true Englishman through and through.
He helped out the bombing victims
The Manchester Arena was the site of a terrorist attack after an Ariana Grande performance on May 22, 2017. Rooney donated £100,000, or $121,749.90, to the victims and families affected by the tragedy.
He gives back to the youth
The Wayne Rooney Foundation helps raise funds for organizations that support disadvantaged children and young people. These include such groups as Manchester United Foundation, Claire House Children’s Hospice, the N.S.P.C.C., and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

5 Surprising Facts

He’s a devout Catholic
Rooney was raised Catholic and would usually pray before games for his health and everyone on the pitch.
He almost quit soccer
At the age of 14, he almost fell out of love with the sport, but Everton club boss Colin Harvey set him straight and hardened his resolve to fully commit to soccer.
He’s a fan of boxing
Rooney loves to watch and sometimes participates in boxing matches.
He’s had at least two hair transplants
Baldness runs in the family, so he had two confirmed hair transplants, one in 2011 and another in 2013.
He’s Manchester United’s top goalscorer
Rooney has scored 253 goals in 559 games, making him their top goalscorer of all time.

Wayne Rooney FAQs

How much money does Wayne Rooney make in a week?

According to the M.L.S. Player Association, Rooney earned $3.5 million (£2.6 million) per year as a designated player for D.C. United. This means that he was earning around $75,000 a week.

Why is Rooney called ‘Wazza?’

It’s a reference to Englishman Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne, a talented player who was also plagued by personal issues. He earned the nickname in his younger years because of his intelligent gameplay. His outstanding tactics continued to improve as he became older.