Report: Rooney feels forced into MLS move
Wayne Rooney agreed in principle to a three-year deal with DC United but remains less than thrilled about his pending move to MLS after being told he is not in new Everton manager Marco Silva's plans, according to a report by the Mirror.
Rooney, 32, returned to Everton last year with the intention of closing out his career with his boyhood club and was the team's leading scorer last season. However, he is nearing a move to MLS after being told by Silva that he would see little game time for Everton moving forward.
Rooney reportedly feels forced out of Everton, with little choice but to accept joining DC United. Rooney previously spent 12 years with Manchester United and was captain of England's national team. He scored 37 goals in 117 appearances over his final three years for Manchester United, compared to 84 goals from 2009-2012.
Rooney scored 10 goals in 32 games for Everton during the 2017-18 season, but did not score from December on and his future with the team became cloudy when Silva replaced Sam Allardyce.
He reportedly wanted to meet with Silva before solidifying his move to MLS but agreed to the DC United deal after visiting the U.S. consulate in Belfast to process his visa.
Silva reportedly has set his sights on 21-year-old Norwich striker James Maddison to join Everton. Maddison scored 15 goals and had eight assists last season.
Rooney is expected to sign with DC United as a designated player. Sky Sports News had previously reported that it was expected to be a two-year deal worth as just more than $5 million annually. A secondary deal would reportedly allow Rooney to return to Everton in a coaching role in the future.
Rooney won't be able to join United until the league's secondary transfer window opens on July 10. DC United opens its new pitch, Audi Field, on July 14.
For the past month, Rooney's representatives began negotiating terms of a contract to move Rooney from Premier League club Everton. Rooney reportedly toured DC United's facilities and took a physical for the team during a visit from May 23-24.
With Manchester United, Rooney was 2010 Footballer of the Year and won five Premier League titles.
--Field Level Media
