Rooney, Wayne Mark (1985– )

English footballer. After making his professional debut with Everton in 2002, he became the youngest player to score in the English Premier League, at age 16; the youngest player both to represent and score for his country, aged 17; and the youngest player to score in the European Championships, aged 18. He won consecutive league championships with Manchester United 2007–08 and also helped them win the UEFA Champions League in 2008.

Career highlights

International appearances (2003– ) 43 (14 goals)

English League Cup 2006

English League Championship 2007, 2008

European Cup 2008

Awards

Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year 2005, 2006

Born in Liverpool, Rooney played for his local club Everton as a schoolboy, and helped them reach the final of the English Youth Cup. After establishing himself first in the senior team and then with his national side, most notably in the 2004 European Championships when he scored four goals in four games, he moved to Manchester United for more than £30 million in the summer of 2004, breaking the world transfer fee record for a teenager. On his debut for the club he scored a hat-trick against Turkish side Fenerbahce. He won with first trophy in 2006 when he scored two goals in Manchester United's 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic in the League Cup final.