All signs are pointing to Wayne Rooney crossing the pond and inking a deal with MLS DC United. The agreement per reports is agreed to in principle but still needs to be finalized. Rooney has grown increasingly frustrated with Everton after signing a 2-year contract in 2017. He would join a list of players that include David Beckham and Thierry Henry to make a move later in their careers to the MLS.
So how much is England’s all-time goal scorer Rooney worth?
Net Worth as of 2018: $145 million
It’s safe to say Rooney’s many goals scored on the soccer field has translated to him scoring in the bank account. Rooney has been among the top-10 highest paid soccer players in the world for the past decade. His athletic accomplishments also garnered him big sponsorship deals most notably with Nike, to put the icing on the cake.
Early Life
Rooney born on October 24th, 1985 is of Irish descent and raised as a roman catholic. He was born in Croxteth, Liverpool where he was raised with his younger brothers Graham and John. Growing up Rooney supported Everton and at nine years old joined their youth team. In 2002 at just 16 years-old Rooney made his professional debut. In two seasons as a pro, Manchester United came calling with £25.6 million transfer window deal. The fee was the highest ever paid for a player under 20.
In 2003 at the age of 17 Rooney made his senior international debut for England. At the time he was the youngest player ever to represent England. Rooney also became and still holds the record as the youngest goalscorer in England’s history.
2004-2017
Rooney at 18 years-old caught the attention of many after the multi-million-pound deal was executed. His United debut came on September 28th against Fenerbahçe and Rooney wasted no time scoring three goals and adding an assist. The hat-trick made Rooney the youngest player ever to achieve the feat in Champions League history. Rooney would finish his first season as the teams top league goal scorer and earned the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
In his second season with United, Rooney would claim his first trophy in the 2005-2006 League Cup. Rooney who became player with the flare for the dramatics was named Man of the Match in the final, scoring two of the four goals in a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic. Rooney finished the Premier League season with 16 goals in 26 games.
In the 2006-2007 season, Rooney collected his first Premier League title winner’s medal. For the season he scored 14 goals. The year did not come without controversy though. Rooney received a 3-game ban after elbowing Pepe in the Amsterdam Tournament. He threatened to revoke the use of his image if the ban was not repealed. Ultimately, Rooney accepted and served his ban.
Also during the 2006 year, Rooney played in his first World Cup. He was coming off an injury that slowed him throughout the tournament. England as a team did not have a good showing, losing in the quarterfinals. Rooney’s temper again flared up as he was red carded after his physical altercation with Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. During the incident, Rooney shoved his United teammate Cristiano Rinaldo. Rooney was fined CHF5,000.
In 2009 Rooney was awarded the captain cap for the first time during Englands World Cup qualifying. In the qualifying tournament, Rooney finished with nine goals one shy of the tournament lead. The 2010 World Cup was one to forget for Rooney and the English team. England fans booed the team relentlessly due to poor play. Rooney went scoreless during the tournament and England was bounced in the second round.
In 2012 the English team suffered another international tournament loss. During the Euro 2012, England was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Italy. After the loss, the Italian Manager Fabio Capello claimed Rooney “only plays well in Manchester.”
Rooney again poorly played in the 2014 World Cup drawing the ire of British pundits. England finished last during the group stage following a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica.
During the 2015-2016 Premier League season, Rooney became the second all-time leading goal scorer in the league’s history. Fifteen days later he would overtake Thierry Henry for most goals scored on one Premier League club. Then late in 2016, Rooney became the all-time leading scorer in Manchester United team history in European competitions.
In early January 2017, Rooney eclipsed Bobby Charlton as the outright leader in goals in Manchester United history. After the accomplishment, Charlton presented Rooney with the Golden Boot to acknowledge him as the all-time leading goal scorer.
2018-present
Rooney returned to Everton after 12 seasons with Manchester United. Rooney would go on to score his 200th Premier League goal during the season. Rooney grew frustrated with the team over multiple issues and has since explored options in the MLS with DC United.
Also, Rooney announced he would be retiring from international play following the 2018 World Cup.
Rooney won 16 trophies with Manchester United. He is also only the second English player to win the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, UEFA Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.