One of the biggest football stars of all time, Wayne Rooney, is struggling to establish himself as a coach after he retired as an active player four years ago, only 35 years old.
The former Manchester United and England striker signed his first professional contract at the age of 17.
Read: Tonight with his eleventh goal of the season, Jørgen Strand Larsen saved his place in the Premier League
Wayne Rooney’s playing career lasted almost 20 years, but the salary he received in his first professional contract as a teenager at Everton may surprise many football fans.
From £90 to £13,000 a week
The striker came through the youth department at Goodison Park and made his debut in 2002 at just 16 years old.
According to a report by The Guardian, the then 17-year-old Rooney earned just £90 a week as an apprentice – a sum that increased to around £1,500 per first-team appearance.
But when he signed his first professional contract, his salary shot up to £13,000 a week plus bonuses on a three-year contract.
Storm transfer to United
Rooney’s performances on the pitch and his starring role for England at Euro 2004 led to him being sold to Manchester United that summer for over £25 million.
In July 2004, Everton offered him a new five-year contract worth £50,000 a week, but the striker still ended up at Old Trafford.
A legendary career
During 13 seasons at United:
- Broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal record (253 goals in 559 games)
- Won 5 Premier League titles, the FA Cup, 3 League Cups, the Champions League, the Europa League and the Club World Cup
- Read: Borussia Dortmund’s tempting offer to Norway’s great jewel
He returned to Everton in 2017 before finishing his MLS career with DC United and Derby County, where he also became manager.
England-legend
Rooney is:
- England’s second most successful international (120 games)
- Previous goal record holder (53 goals) before Harry Kane broke the record
Salary explosion
At his peak at United, Rooney earned £260,000 a week as club captain – an impressive increase from the modest £90 a week as an Everton apprentice.
Rooney’s salary throughout his career:
- Everton apprentice: £90/week (+£1,500 per first-team game)
- First pro contract (17 years): £13,000/week
- United 2004-2017: Up to £260,000/week
- Everton 2017-2018: £150,000/week
A career that started at £90 a week and ended as one of England’s highest-paid footballers ever!
Read on Popidol: New series on NRK about pink bloggers in the early 2000s: Much inspired by Sophie Elise Isachsen’s life
