Wayne Rooney is back at Everton.
Rooney’s return to his boyhood club and team he supports was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
13 years after leaving the Toffees for Manchester United, as the most exciting teenage footballer in the world, Rooney returns to his hometown team having won every club trophy possible. He is also Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, with 253 goals, and England’s top scorer with 53 goals.
Rooney can be proud of his remarkable achievements, and had nothing left to achieve at United.
Excited to be back at @Everton. Can't wait to meet up with @RonaldKoeman and the lads! #EFC 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CjD0i1aXg
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 9, 2017
Now that he’s part of United’s past, the debate about where Rooney stands among the club’s legends will inevitably begin.
Gary Neville has got the debate going. Neville played alongside the 31-year-old at Old Trafford from 2004 to 2011, and for England between 2003 and 2007.
He’s also a lifelong United supporter, and claims Rooney is the best United striker he has seen play or played alongside.
All the best @WayneRooney and congratulations on a great United career . The best Striker I played with and saw at the club.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 9, 2017
Neville ranks Rooney higher than strikers such as Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes and Ruud van Nistelrooy, which is high praise.
Ander Herrera, another of Rooney’s former teammates, also wished him well.
The Spanish midfielder wrote: “One day I will be able to tell my grandkids I played with you.”
One day I will be able to tell my grandkids I played with you. All the best and thank you @WayneRooney #FarewellToALegend pic.twitter.com/QZS6OhDTcP
— Ander Herrera (@AnderHerrera) July 9, 2017
