Rooney will become the highest-paid player in DC United history by a large marginGETTY IMAGES
EPL club Everton F Wayne Rooney has "agreed to a deal with DC United and will join the MLS club in time" for the July 14 opening of Audi Field, "ushering in a fresh era for an organization eager to make a splash on and off the field," according to Maese & Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources said that United has "finalized a package" with Rooney on a contract through '20 worth about $13M. The club has also "agreed to purchase his rights" from Everton for an "undisclosed transfer fee." United is "awaiting only final paperwork to arrive from Everton." Rooney will "become the highest-paid player in team history by a large margin and inject the team with a marquee name to appeal to the masses" in DC. He is "not eligible to play until MLS' transfer and trade window opens July 10, four days before the grand opening of Audi Field." However, Rooney will still be "available for 20 league matches, including 15 at home." He will "instantly become the most high-profile player to ever don a United kit" and joins a "prominent group that gravitated toward MLS late in their careers," including David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Rooney also will "provide the team with a marquee name to market" off the field. United "hasn't featured a globally recognized player since Argentina's Marcelo Gallardo," who played for the team in '08. United entered the season with "one of the smallest MLS payrolls, but, with increased revenue from the new stadium, began making plans to pursue more expensive players" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/28). USA TODAY's Jim Reineking notes Rooney will give DC United "much-needed notoriety as the team aims to fill seats" at Audi Field (USA TODAY, 6/28).
RETURN OF RETIREMENT LEAGUE? ESPN’s Mike Golic noted Rooney's arrival in DC furthers the thought that MLS is the "landing spot when you’re getting a little older, a little long in the tooth." Golic: "Come over to the MLS and make a few extra bucks.” ESPN’s Trey Wingo said, “We will throw bags of cash. ... You can stay over there, not play as much and not make as much money. Or you can come over to the U.S., be a star and have bags of treasure thrown your way” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 6/28).
