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Wayne Rooney\u2019s dream return to boyhood club Everton is over after one season following the 32-year-old\u2019s move to Major League Soccer side DC United.<\/p>\nWayne Rooney\u2019s dream return to boyhood club Everton is over after one season following the 32-year-old\u2019s move to Major League Soccer side DC United.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s record goalscorer rejoined the Toffees after 13 years at Manchester United, where he is also the all-time leading scorer, last summer but has left just 12 months later for a new challenge in the United States.<\/p>\n
The move has been in the pipeline for several weeks and new Everton manager Marco Silva admitted last month he would not stand in the striker\u2019s way if he wanted to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is fantastic to be joining DC United at such an exciting time in the club\u2019s history with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks,\u201d said Rooney, who flew out to America on Thursday and has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoving to America and MLS fulfills another career ambition for me. I have the hunger to be a success here and will give DC 100 per cent \u2013 as I have always done for every team I have ever played for.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I visited earlier this summer I was really impressed with everyone I met connected with the club, and of course the new Audi Field.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I can\u2019t wait to get on the pitch in a United shirt and join my new teammates to bring success to this club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rooney took to Twitter on Thursday evening to express his thanks to Toffees fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcited to be starting the next chapter of my career but just want to thank all the Everton fans for their amazing support last season. It meant a lot,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
Rooney, who turns 33 in October, will occupy a designated player spot on the club\u2019s roster and he will be officially added to the squad when the transfer window reopens on July 10, pending receipt of international clearance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a seminal moment for our fans and organisation,\u201d DC United\u2019s managing general partner and chief executive Jason Levien said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWayne is a global soccer icon and his presence at DC United will elevate our product on the pitch and soccer as a whole in our city and in this country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWayne has thrived when competing at the most elite levels of soccer and we\u2019re thrilled to have his leadership as we enter this new era at Audi Field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rooney is England’s record goalscorer<\/p>\n
Rooney, who when he re-signed for the Toffees almost a year ago admitted he had been wearing Everton pyjamas with his children, scored 11 goals in 40 appearances last season following his return from Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
However, he failed to find the net after December 18 in what turned out to be a disappointing second half of the season both individually and for the club.<\/p>\n
He nevertheless leaves with the Toffees\u2019 best wishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverton and Wayne Rooney have reached an agreement for the player to join MLS side DC United on a permanent transfer,\u201d an Everton statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom everyone at Everton, we thank Wayne for his service to the club and wish him every success in the next three and a half years with DC United.\u201d<\/p>\n