Rooney seals Everton return on a two-year deal

I can't wait to see him in blue again now and think we might have done a genius bit of business here. It's a risk but it's exciting.

Give us the best football of your final few years in the game. Welcome back. 👍

Just give him a chance – please!!!

COYB

I do understand the fans who still hate him for the badge kissing, but let's face it, we have him a lot of abuse for that to happen and we cashed in at a time we were still struggling.

Let's look at the present and future because it looks incredible for us blues.

Welcome back Wayne, Rooney! Rooney!

If anything, I think this is more of a business deal than a playing move for the club. He's globally known and will promote the Everton brand worldwide.

Give it a couple of weeks and I bet we'll start seeing pictures of him in his new Everton kit everywhere. I guarantee that SportPesa will be plastering his mug all over Africa as well.

Everyone thought Ryan Giggs was finished at 32/33. Then he had two great seasons for Man Utd after that. If Wayne can have two great seasons for us in the latter part of his career, then there will be a lot of happy times ahead for us Evertonians.

It's rumoured that he's going to be used up front and not in a deeper role. It will be interesting to see him play No 10 for us.

Welcome back, Wayne!

Welcome home, Wayne!

I get the feeling this is not just about Rooney playing for 2 or 3 years but also the ticket that allows him to stay at the club beyond in whatever capacity.

I don't care what anyone on here has to say, the likes of Davies, Kenny, Dowell, Lookman etc will be thrilled to have someone like Rooney at the club.

He may not have long left, perhaps two seasons, but he has so much to offer still, not just on the pitch. He's going to be motivated to prove his doubters wrong and secure his last World Cup selection.

He's clearly not just coming to us for one last paycheque as he could get a lot more in China or the US. I believe he will see the potential in Koeman's exciting young squad and want to help get Everton back into the big time.

He has a wealth of European experience and can teach the youngsters a thing or two about handling pressure, especially if we end up challenging for a top four spot near the end of the season.

He may not be the prolific goalscorer he once was, and I hope we get another top striker in (such as Giroud or Dembele) but he could well give us the edge in crucial games where his quality will show. I'm looking forwards to his last hurrah!

He seems to have lost the edge over the last couple of yrs. and does tend to slow the game down a little bit. Hopefully the fact that he is pulling on a blue shirt again will give him a lift and a boost of energy for a year or two.

Anyway, welcome back to a true blue fan.
COYB

Leaving aside the cost issues he will be good for the club's profile but, on the playing side ,is this just another one in the Ginola, Gascoigne, Sansom mould?

I don't think Rooney will start all games, but he will inspire all those youngsters as previously said. Everton will become a global name (and maybe even get on MotD first once in a while) I can hear Z-Cars now!

On the financial details, I am cautious on giving a bench player £150k per week.

But money aside, this is a very good signing. A leader that our youngsters can look up to and develop that hawkish winning mindset.

That said, he's still class and I would love to see him drill one past the RS at the next derby.

You also have to consider that Moshiri and Koeman are no mugs and wont be doing this to sell shirts or out of some sense of nostalgia – let's keep a watching brief and judge come October how wise a decision this is.

I think he will surprise a lot of people over the next couple of years or so, and then will still have plenty to offer the club ongoing if his playing days are waning. ('Scuse the pun).

Kristain (#8) – Hope it still fits, mate... Not a dog's chance in my case.

Looks like Wayne has had his hair line touched up That will make him look younger, and play better too. Obviously.

I think his kids are a big part of this in that he wants them to grow up remembering their dad playing for Everton, not Man Utd. He's a scouser through and through and can you imagine in 15 years his sons playing in our academy.

SportsPesa and Moshiri must be delighted as he will raise their profile hugely. Moshiri has already changed how Everton are viewed and Sky will be all over Rooney's debut and big games.

The new players coming in should (hopefully} score enough to make up the for the loss of Lukaku's goals...at least that's the plan.

On the basis he is arriving, I welcome Rooney and hope to see him perform his best in Blue.

His powers may be diminishing, but as a winning and experienced creator and goal scorer who knows what it means to pull on the blue shirt, it could rub off on the likes of Sandro and Klaassen.

I think he was just the best out of what we had available, but what we have been crying out for is a stand-out captain who is a big voice and with a bid personality that us fan's can all see.

If Rooney really is coming back then I hope he does well because anything else would be humiliating for the club. I am one of those who believes the old banner: "Once a blue, now a red, in our hearts Wayne, you are dead."

However, once he pulls on the shirt, he's entitled to a chance to convince everyone. Right now, I'm not convinced.

If he's wearing the shirt, he'll have my support.

I know it was only for a season, Ian didn't realise that that those Eyetalians spoke a different language, apparently, but he didn't get stick for coming back.

I wonder if Koeman's plan is to start him up front for the Europa League qualifiers? Anyone we sign now won't be ready, even the likes of Sandro – needs a rest, new club etc.

"The only influence he is likely to have on young players is to teach them to look after number one, find the most corrupt agent he can find and follow the money – I am one of those who believes old banner: once a blue, now a red in our hearts Wayne you are dead."

What rot!

Remember this is the same Peter Fearon who wrote not one but two articles calling for Koeman to go – before Christmas!

"In our hearts, Wayne, you are dead."

'Our' hearts?

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Peter Fearon, the spokesman of generations, the voice of Evertonians everywhere, and the representative voice of calm, cool, and calculated reason.

You ain't dead in my heart, Wayne lad, so that's at least one hole in 'our'.

People get a touch jilted at the altar about it but we were in a dark place at the time.

That being said, I'm 50/50 about this one but I think the Lukaku sale is a great piece of business

What I saw was a player in Rooney who was Man Utd's best player on the pitch just about every time he played. I think he's still got two to three very good years in him. And he'll mitigate the lost goals from Rom leaving.

I see a player who fell out of favor with an arrogant manager, and then benched for the most part.

Remember, Mourihno let Lukaku go, and he just paid stupid money for him!

I think Wayne Rooney will be gold returning to Goodison. And I divorce all nostalgia and romance from that statement. There's still a ton of talent in that man's body, and it'll be unleashed for his Club like a tempest.

So says I!!!

But it's as good as confirmed, he's a winner and an Evertonian... so now we get behind him like we Blues always do when you put our special shirt on! Good luck and welcome home!

Sell Ross for circa £25 million. Pay Wayne's wages for two years out of the transfer fee and still have a £12 million plus profit.

And I was so hopeful I would manage an away game in Europe this season. Saddest day in 40 years.

Like I said elsewhere, I'm giving him a big welcome.

If he gets the winner in a derby, icing on the cake.

Welcome back, Wayne!

I think he'll come back and put a bomb up the arse of the team and Goodison. Can't wait.

He will be a leader on the pitch and not accept 2nd best.

It's about time we had some guts in this team, that's more than enough for me.

I hope Rooney is the former. This isn't a purely business deal although the commercial and profile upsides of having the England captain and all-time goalscorer are massive.

Koeman said as far back as March he'd be interested in having Rooney on the books so he must see something in football terms and I hope it works for his sake.

Welcome back, Wayne – albeit two seasons too late.

I think our new three tbh, plus we've added goals to midfield with Klaassen. You can't argue that our squad hasn't been drastically improved without too much of a net outlay. Exciting times to be a Blue!

I'm not sure that the resources we're going to put in to Wayne couldn't be better used, but, he is a true blue, he's proven that, and he will be well placed to influence the young lads coming through.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. We really do need a pacey striker like Dembele to complete a front three now though.

"Alright there lads the, The Big Man is Back!"

Turns to young Tom Davies. "Ah, mate, ye couldn't do us favour and get us meat & potato pie with chips from the canteen cud ye? Go'ed lad, here's a tener – keep the change."

Well done, Everton, and welcome home, Wayne!!

I don't know how many Man Utd games you watched last season but, having watched almost all of their games, I can honestly say when ever Rooney played he was a shadow of his former self and certainly was not their best player.

Herrera, Carrick, Mata, Blind and Ibramovic when he played were consistently head and shoulders above Rooney. IMO.

And now we know we are right for each, wrinkles etc accepted but forever together for the next 40 years plus...

Wayne's thinking and touches in that Man Utd team were beyond the rest for the players speed of thinking and understanding.

Even more so, I would say that he had lost the love of Man Utd and "The Mancs" when the fans turned against him – and Alex had marginalised him a number of times, first when Ronaldo was allowed to run with the ball but Wayne was asked to pass, release and do a job down the left or right.

Then came the contract renewals and he has for a long time – probably after 2-3 years – not celebrated with their fans after a goal – he would run to a corner, look up to the sky and then back to his players. I believe he hated the Man Utd crowd.

I also believe he was in a prison – EFC were not able to provide the cash to get him out of there – Moshiri and USM have change that. Again, it is not Wayne's fault – he has got his wish.

I hope to see a rejuvenated Rooney and all that he can bring... too much to list. It is a Lawton '39 moment; it is the First World War stopping a great Everton side; it is the Heysel disaster and Kendall and the team going off. This is as big a turnaround as those moments... and this time, it is our way!!

Awesome times ahead!!! It is bringing tears to my eyes reading each post welcoming Wayne back . and hearing my son (9 years old) – who loves each signing – say "Well, if Rooney Signs – does that mean we have a party to celebrate!?!"

That's what it means all over the world for Evertonians and those that like and admire us. We are back!!!!

Who cares if it is sentimental to want him back? I am.

Don't forget, he hardly played last season so will be coming in fresh and hopefully highly motivated.

I'd also like to think this will help in getting Ross to sign a new contract.

How much do we/will we make out of swapping Lukaku for Rooney?

He has little to offer that will improve our quality and sentimental hogwash that many correspondents are offering won't change that. The man is three years past his prime and is hoping to be the returning gunslinger; it won't happen.

We have just let go the most prolific goal scorer we have had in the Premier League era and in return we get a player with his best years behind him however it is a a risk for Rooney as well , he knows very well he will have to perform and Goodison will be in his back if he doesn't!

Rooney could have had an easy last few years in the MLS or China but he has chosen to join the blues and make no mistake he will want to impress and I think he will. Yes he is not the same player but then again he not the same young kid that left 13 years ago, he has matured and brings a wealth of experience and will want to be in tip top shape as he will want to probe the doubters wrong.

I welcome him back and I believe he will be a true professional and be good positive influence and a great ambassador for the club!

I think he'll be great role model for some of the young lads and I'm actually getting excited for the first derby – we may finally have someone on the pitch who has passion and actually wants to win it!

He is not a reserve player – he lost his place after injury... get a grip!

I think Lukaku was a reserve player at Chelsea when we got him though!

I was privileged to be in the Upper Bullens on the day he scored his "worldie" v Arsenal and have looked on in envy at his displays for Man Utd; not least his MotM v us in the FA Cup semi-final. I for one can't wait to see his first run-out in an Everton shirt again.

Link

Reports are he has been in the gym every day on his holidays. Maybe we might just get a rejuvenated player. Because, if he gets even close to three years, ago it will be a great bit of business.

Now compare that with where we are now and what we feel Rooney can still offer.

Do you really think that, at 31, he's still that player?

On a different note, it seems there's interest in both McCarthy and Barry from other Premier League clubs!!

Yep, his head looks in great shape on that pic. Promising signs. :P

https://youtu.be/iqWn_FXE_s8

However I don't want him back. I have read all of the reasons why he should return but for me the football reasons simply don't stack up and I fear a major disappointment when we see 5 or 6 games in, sentiment got in the way of reality.

And all this passion he has. Is that when he drowns the referee in saliva when a decision goes against him or where he gives away a foul chasing back after being dispossessed? And he's willing to get, what, 𧴜k a week for this?

It's nauseating. I was struggling to accept but the red carpet treatment for a lad that wouldn't give us a couple of years of his career has me looking to local sport for my entertainment.

All-in-all, despite the general opinion that he is on the "wane", I personally ( and it is only an opinion) think it will be a fabulous signing for Everton and I can see the top corner free kick winner against the rs at Anfield, and loving it!!

As for the prodigal... I think we are, seemingly, a club now run by professionals... Let's see what unfolds.

Not looked forward so much to a new season since we signed Bally... Bring it on!

"Once a Blue, Always a Blue"

"Rooney – Remember The Name"

They are emotions I have always felt – like hoping Mike Lyons would win us everything; it is the passion and hope of an Evertonian .

I have cried only three times in my life .

When Alan ball left for Arsenal and then when Duncan left for Newcastle and then when we brought Duncan back!

When Wayne signs – I will have a tear in my eye and my son will be so so proud of Everton over Man Utd and Chelsea!

Welcome back Wayne!

To the other complainers, what is the issue with his age? He is 31. How can you compare that to Ginola or Gazza who were 4/5 years older. I'm their age now. There is a huge difference to that and me 5 years ago!

Don't give a fuck what he cost (not my money)

He appears to be an Everton player and if that's the case. that's enough for me.

Would I have bought him?

Ummm...Probably not, but if he's an Everton player, he gets my support, unreservedly and I welcome him back and hope he does brilliantly.

Those screaming and carrying on like jilted teens sound like fucking lunatics.

Tie yourself in knots if it makes you feel better (nb: it won't) but if you want to give him down the banks, at least wait until you watched him perform (really badly) for us.

Up the Toffees!

Yes, his wages are hefty... But we need several leaders to compete in competitions – and he's still brilliant.

He has achieved everything possible at Club and country level, the one thing eludes him is Silverwere with Everton, that will be the motivation and he will do everything possible to win something with Everton, don't write the guy off yet, he will be chomping at the bit to pull on the Everton shirt again.

The Derby this year will at least have players with balls who will not lay down.

Eugene, you'd be happy if Koeman gave me 𧴜k then?

Who's screaming? It's all in type. I think it's a bad signing from every possible angle. Should I and others not state that or is there a level dissatisfaction that's acceptable?

Welcome back Wayne.

If you go to games and fill grounds and make the Premier League "product" what it is, all of that is based on your money and the money of those like you, for example, me.

We all have a voice, don't silence yours unnecessarily.

Has anyone watched him play in the last two years? And if you (obviously) have, what on earth did you see that made you want him back?

The worst, sentimental, wishful thinking.

If he'd played for any other club than Everton, none of his worshippers on here would touch him with a bargepole.

Welcome back Wayne. No-one else would pay you half as much nowadays, but have millions of pounds on us and can you pretend to be 16 again please?

Can't manage that? Never mind, get caught in possession, clench your fist and swear at the ref a lot and slow the game right down a bit more for us will you. You're a blue – albeit not for the last 13 years – so apparently that will be fine.

I used to think Michael Jackson fans were deluded...

My term 'screaming' is figurative (as you well know) so skip the semantics.

You ask 'Eugene, you'd be happy if Koeman gave me 𧴜k then?'

If?

If me hole, what if he scores a hat-trick against Stoke and goes on to score 30 goals?

What if...anyfuckingthing.

Andrew – The "it's not my money" thing. If you go to games and fill grounds and make the Premier League "product" what it is, all of that is based on your money and the money of those like you, for example, me.

Fine, if you don't agree, don't go.

That was simple wasn't it.

Maybe give him a couple of months at least. It's a done deal after all

He's been used sparingly over the last year. I'm thinking and hoping he's fresh and raring to go. We have nothing else like him in the squad that can pass a ball like he can. Maybe Barry but he's deeper.

It's not all about Rooney though is it. Keene, Pickford, Sandro, Klaassen. All intriguing signings and all of them excite me. A couple more to come in.

Looking forward to the Man Utd game. We are going to beat them.

World renowned player.

Scouser & Evertonian.

Improvement on class.

The Mail.

As for the "our" again it was a quote. Obviously you were too young or too high to have been there. Again. Don't let the facts....

He has done very little on the pitch in the last 2 seasons and his self-inflicted body abuse has caught up with him. His lifestyle as a so-called professional sportsman is a shocking example to put alongside our youngsters.

To those of you who say "Make him captain" – with all due respect, you must be off your trolley. We are signing the Rooney of now, not of 6 years ago -– a totally mis-guided heart-over-head signing by our Bill, just like Gazza, Ginola & Dunc (2nd time round).

This one takes the biscuit

"His lifestyle as a so-called professional sportsman is a shocking example to put alongside our youngsters."

This will be the player who has set the example of

Winning the most outfield caps of any English player
Scoring the most England goals ever
Scoring the most Man Utd goals ever
Scoring the most Premier League away goals ever
Scoring the most Champions League goals by a British player.
Winning 5 Premier League titles
Winning 2 League Cups
Winning an FA Cup
Winning a Champions League trophy
Winning a Europa League trophy

What a fucking example that is to set to our youngsters.

Rooney's wages would cost less than the Martinez redundancy package or the signing of Niasse. I think Rooney could be the play maker we need short term. Rooney has unfinished business at Everton, he never experience a Merseyside derby win or scored in one. He has probably dreamt off that, and winning a trophy.

Maybe or may not that still rankles with him. Maybe how he left wasn't how he wished his time with his boyhood club to be remembered most for. Or he may just want a retirement package which Everton have provided. We will soon find out.

I hope we go for Timo Werner or even hijack Iheanacho deal from Leicester,sell Mori, McCarthy, Besic, bring in a new Left back, right. Back and centre back as well. We could really challenge for 4th, if we can come out relatively unscathed from the first 5 games.

Wayne Rooney, a life long Blue, but a babe in the wood, in experience, was presented with a choice. Who first put it to him, or how it was put to him, is immaterial.

It was a stark choice. Leave Everton, the club you love – and join Man Utd, and Everton will survive.

Choose to stay at Everton now, and the club will crash out of the Premier league and may, in fact, go out of business.

As a 17-year-old, naive boy and a true blue supporter, in a man's world, with no real advice given except from your "agent", what would you have done?

His "Roy of the Rover's" performance was in him sacrificing his dreams of glory, with his boyhood club, to sell himself to the highest bidder to save his club from shame and humiliation.

He will certainly be welcomed back by me and acknowledged as the man, who's sacrifice let us hang on until Bill found Moshiri.

And now, to complete the circle and the selffulfilling prophecy, Wayne is coming home to help lead us to success, in the modern era of football.

Hear, Hear!

Look at when he was at his most prolific he had Van Nisteroy to work with.

I don't think will miss Lukaku. After all, we sold the best striker I've ever seen in the Royal Blue (Lineker), then won the league the next year:

I watched him in the FA Cup semi-final – does that count? Performed pretty well then. 10 goals last year and 9 assists. Replicates that and I'll be happy.

The situation is far removed from 13 years ago when he was prised away by Sir Purple Nose and Stretford; of course he's not the same player but we're getting a mature pro who knows what it takes to be successful and has a great opportunity to help us back toward where we should be – challenging.

I hope he'll be with us in some capacity for many years to come.

Lets get behind this new regime. The summer activity so far must cut them some slack.

Lack of impact and consistency? He scored more goals and created more assists last season than anyone other than Lukaku at Everton. Hardly an exception to the rule.

However, I'm glad he's back, because there is a decent chance this seemingly risky deal could actually pay off.

I do hope that Ross stays; I really can't understand the enthusiasm for Sigurdsson. He's good but at 28 he won't get any better, whilst Ross under Rooney's influence, and with Lukaku gone, could turn into a far superior player. Please spend the Lukaku money on another striker.

Rooney is on a downward trajectory and we're hailing him as some sort of messiah?

I honestly believe he has so much left to offer. Welcome back, Wayne!!!

Where else will we get that sort of return? Barkley or Mirallas? Can't see it myself that's why I think he will be an asset.

Does Rooney in the side not make you more confident? Works for me.

So for me it just comes down to the realities of the deal, without the emotion. £150k a week and no transfer fee for a 31-year-old who has won practically everything. Yeah, I reckon that makes enough sense for us.

I'll put my faith in the club's management that they think the player can contribute. It's over to Wayne now to show that he can get himself in good shape and give his all for the club. And, again, this seems to make sense – he will see this as a chance to make an impact at his boyhood club.

If you really wanted to see what Rooney could still do with the right motivation and desire... you'd put him in his boyhood team, right?

My money is on this being a huge success. I think he and the club will prove a lot of people wrong.

Rooney coming back is one of the best things that has ever happened to the club, in my opinion. When he left, I was upset. But I also knew the team needed money.

It's a shame he didn't come back two years ago. But I think he's been nowhere near his best in that time. However, if I was him, going back to the club I loved, I'd work my ass off like never before.

I think this will turn out to be the best signing we have made in years. His influence off the pitch alone will be enough to justify his wage. But his work on the pitch will prove those who are living in a fantastical past wrong.

He's not over the hill. He's played for a club the fans turned against years ago. When you don't have them behind you, you cannot play to the best of your abilities.

To have him and have old pinball legs going in the other direction for record money is just incredible. There are good things afoot this season and as soon as he signs, I'm buying a shirt with his name on the back.

I couldn't be happier with this transfer. And I don't think it will be the end of the spending.

Mark my words, this season will be one to remember and for good reasons.

It looks like Sigurdsson's signing next week too, and If Giroud also follows that's another 3 quality players coming in.

I do have some misgivings about playing all 3 of them in the same side. Assuming Barkley goes to Spurs, and Lukaku's already gone, we will have lost 2 of our quickest players and replaced them with less mobile players.

I really rate Giroud and think he's virtually guaranteed to get 15 goals a season, but I hope we sign Dembele or Iheanacho from City due to Rooney and Sigurdsson coming in.

I watched the Rooney doc, The Man Behind The Goals: the biggest thing that came from that doc, was how influential Rooney is in the dressing room. He is back so give the man a chance.

Only concern is full back positions, with Seamus injured and Baines slowing down. Not sure we have enough attacking flair in these positions...

Lukaku- good
Rooney - bad

Understood.

What a weird response.

Let me be clear. We are in the best position we have been in recent memory. Your stats point is meaningless, Mr Fearon. Your calls for Koeman to go before Xmas – Jaysus – were rightly slaughtered at the time. I raise them now to cast doubt on your judgment.

In your first post on here, you again displayed IMO a characteristic by now poor judgment.

'Facts' my ass. Let's wait and see how Koeman rates after three years, shall we. Shall we have a level playing field? I already know the answer, by the way. Until then, lone wolf we have your juvenile knee-jerk unthinking and bizarre calls for a manager to be fired four months into a season.

Quite frankly, you look silly then as you do now with this latest bit of doggerel.

Insulting? Really? Show me.

Your views with the age issue you raised seem immature, either youthful electric naivety or what in the 17th century was called the sixth age of the seven ages of man, 'Declination'.

Here's a question for you, Mr Fearon.

Do you still think that Koeman should be sacked?

Did Rooney kill one of his his family members or what?

I think that Rooney will be relatively 'rested' due to lack of game time and could hit the ground running, captain or not. Most posts seem to be positive here but for those who are worried think of this.

Frank Zappa sang 'You are what you is' – Rooney is an Evertonian, Neville is a Manc. They are both now (physically or mentally) back at the clubs that are closest to their hearts, glad it's not the other way around?

Kane won the golden boot because he was scoring for a club he wants to be at, Lukaku was the opposite he could have won that golden boot but he just could not be arsed and for that alone I'm gland he's gone.

At least Rooney is genuine is he still good enough, we shall have a bit of fun finding out. At least he is not our only or marquee signing, Koeman has given us plenty of options.

I've just been browsing Twitter as others said, you've either got the Red Shite making out the lad is some sort old man with a walking stick, or genuinely gutted but grateful Man Utd fans thankful for all he has done for them.

I think this move will rejuvenate the lad and more importantly give sound advice and wisdom to all the young ones in the first team and lower who are hungry for their own fairytale journey in the beautiful game.

"Here's a novel idea – how about seeing how he actually performs before writing him off?"

That's just crazy talk.

The thrust of this thread reminds me of the scene from the Life of Brian when the crowd all hail Brian as the Messiah, only for his mum to rebuke them saying he's not the messiah, he is. a very naughty boy.

The reality is we have sold someone at the top of their game who does the hardest job in football (scores regularly) and at present we haven't even come to bear to replacing him. Most of us would cheer Pol Pot, or an Alien if he pulled a Blue shirt on and score. It is however a little embarrassing to read the fawning over Rooney on here.

I genuinely hope he does well afte all he is going to be our highest paid player on £150k per week ffs. All we can do is wait and see what unfolds this season, perhaps, we can gauge our progress after the first five games?

To be a dissenting voice on TW in the close season is akin to being a heretic, but you know what they say about the madness of crowds.

I also think he will surprise a few on here with his performance and that will only be good for Everton FC.

I have been unsure on this one (done a couple of flips in fact) but I am, like Stephen, sure of one thing – Rooney will leave whatever he has left in the tank on the pitch once he pulls a blue shirt on again.

1. to those who "hope he doesn't stop the development of the younger players like Calvert-Lewin and Lookman". The question is, in the next 2 years if we are 1-0 down with 15 minutes to go, away at one of the big clubs or Anfield, who would you rather have to come off the subs bench to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and try to equalise or win? Our youngsters are not there yet.

2. 13 years since he left. Want to know how far we have travelled in those 13 years? Who left at the end of 2003-04 season as well as Wayne. Names which will fill us with dread. Nicholas Alexandersson, Tobias Linderoth, Alex Nyarko, Tomasz Radzinski (best Everton player of all time, but only if you are counting those with 2 "Zs" in their name), Steve Simonsen. And we had sold Scott Gemill and Mark Pembridge at the end of the previous summer's transfer window.

Answers on a postage stamp, which of these would get into last year's team, let alone the 2017-18? We have come a long way ladies and gentlemen.

And please don't read this list of ex-players before going to bed. I don't want to give you nightmares.

For all those with justifiable doubts, read the article.

I saw him in town by the Playhouse messing around with his mates, he was in the first team but still very young; I was in my sixties, I wanted to go over and shake his hand... stopped myself and walked on by.

No Evertonian loved him as much as me, understood him when he went to Man Utd, followed his career and envied the United fans wallowing in his glory but glad for Wayne himself.

Now he is back with all the emotions that are happening with his return, hope for Evertonians and Wayne that he is a success; I can't see it but desperately hope I am wrong.

Simple isn't it?

He's also been going to the gym every day too, before pre-season training, so the lad sounds like he has a glint in his eye.

Good luck to him, and by extension, us.

Could have done without the Kenwright luvvy stuff but it wouldn't be a show without Punch as my Dad used to say.

You see, every minute he is on the pitch at Goodison will be a reward to him, every minute you know he will drive himself on because he is and always will be a Blue, even the Mancs understand that.

His worth to the club will not be measured in the goals he will score, it will be measured in the passion and desire on and off the pitch to players and supporters for he will give 100%. In stark contrast, remember Williams lambasting Lukaku for being a lazy arse?

He returns after winning so much, a shame we did not have the team, the money, or the vision that could have brought him success then. We do now. I for one applaud his return, the return of passion and desire of someone desperate to pull on a blue shirt again.

It's a great piece of business, maybe not in the same goal returns as Lukaku but a man on a mission for the club and its supporters. The difference is stark and clear, I would have a 31-year-old Rooney over Lukaku any day.

Where did it all go wrong. 😀

2nd best player I have seen in an Everton shirt. Made up he is back.

No 'effin about with bit-part squad stuff please Ronald, every great side needs a leader, so give him the armband, hand him the baton and let our world class new conductor get this youth orchestra into shape!!

Everything we've lacked for decades, vision, skill, guile, aggression, determination, experience and goals all rolled into one! Never mind any loss of pace, 31 is bugger all!... there will be plenty of young legs around him to answer the call should he flag. My guess is that he will be an example to them all. Watch carefully Ross, this is how its done!

I'm off to the bookies, what price Everton for the title next year and Rooney PFA Player of the Year??!! I'll have a tenner double please!

I didn't want Rooney back until we signed so many younger players, especially because I believe he's wanted to come back and play for Everton for years, which is a contradiction in itself, if I hated Kenwright so much?

But it finally looks like "our great club" is moving on and hopefully back to where most of us genuinely think it belongs.

They say divide and conquer but, with everything that's going on at Everton, it really is a time for us fans all to unite again and hopefully help push The Toffees right back to the top!

Aren't you more like.

I thought my response to your ludicrous 'if' was clear but obviously not, so let me spell it out.

If your (or anyones) response to a counter-argument is "Yeah but what if.." followed by some absolutely insane fantasy, you'll need to find someone else to indulge you.

Ed # 156 - 'To be a dissenting voice on TW in the close season is akin to being a heretic'

Well anyone who would attempt to suppress a contrary opinion that qualifies as well-argued, informed, calm, intelligent dissent, is a fool.

As is anyone who believes red-faced, exaggerated angry venting qualifies as intelligent dissent.

There are certain unarguable realities here which it genuinely seems (to me) that many either refuse to acknowledge (coz their ludicrously entrenched position might be challenged) or they simply don't understand.

Right now, these are facts..

There has been no official announcement of Rooney signing yet.

If/when he does sign, whatever his weekly wage, the actual figure will have to be guessed at (as will who is paying it and how). I'll accept I'm wrong on this if he's photographed holding up a pay-slip that says "ROONEY. W - 150 LARGE . PAID BY EVERTON - DEFFO"

If he signs, we don't know where he will play.

If he signs we don't know how he will play.

Whether we like/dislike or trust/distrust Koeman, is (right now) of no importance because we don't get to decide who we will/won't buy, he does.

When the move was mooted, after much thought, I'd decided I'd prefer us not to sign Rooney, but if we do, we..do (out of my/your hands).

Right now, it seems many are prepared to ignore all this simply to vent.

(and those who do are, imo, 'very naughty boys')

I think the doubters will be pleasantly surprised.

Wayne has always said 'Once a Blue...' so let's give him a chance to prove that. You also always get 100%, not like Lukaku.

Wayne wants to come back to Everton & it's not about the money as he is taking a pay cut. His wages with us will easily be covered by the merchandising. Wayne is still a big name around the world & as long as the club get their finger out with worldwide distribution our income should increase by quite a bit.

Give him another chance, what have we got to lose.

Not even officially signed yet!

Wayne will be heralded as the messiah on his return, cant wait to see the hysteria and fun that going to be attached to this move.

Let's just enjoy the journey while it lasts, folks.

Also the abuse he suffered from our supporters was a disgrace in my view, and he responded the only way he could, kissing the Utd badge – those supporters giving him shit would have done exactly the same. You give it, you get it back. Suck it up.

I'm absolutely delighted he's back and always knew this day would come. It makes both commercial sense and footballing sense – he has all the experience in the world, and is still an amazing player. You watch him run himself into the ground every game.

The majority of supporters on match days will shoot him from the rafters and there's nothing the bitter TW crew will be able to do about that.

He's one of ours. One of us. The same as us. He's brought his kids up Evertonians and they'll get to see their Dad, their hero, play at Goodison and hear their fellow blues sing his Dad's name. Call me a sentimental old bastard but I've waited and wished for this to happen and here we are.

Wayne is blue through & through, no matter what anyone says. Fact. Up the blues!

Ever consider why the media don't respect Everton? Here is a clue for you, Sell off your best impact and quality players, Replace them with rejects from the same team that bought your players or from Relegated and bottom half clubs, over and over again.

Anyone noticed any of the top 4 operating in this way? Not only that we think we deserve to be at the top and can't understand how we are not.

"The majority of supporters on match days will shoot him from the rafters and there's nothing the bitter TW crew will be able to do about that".

Not sure you meant "shoot". If you meant "shout for him" or something similar, totally agree. Goodison Park will rock. TW isn't always representative of the wider fan base.

I'm proper excited about seeing him play for us again in anger. Rooney is a winner, with passion and the blue devil in his veins. The second coming.

Stones, Rodwell, Pienaar, Arteta, Jeffers, Lescott, Gravesen – all were sold when maybe we would have preferred to keep them – none of them went onto become superstars.

Just because a team finishes in the bottom half or gets relegated, doesn't mean they don't have good players. It means they don't have 11 good players.

In the two we have from Sunderland and Burnley, would be considered their respective teams best players. (With the exception of Defoe, possibly). And the player we are rumoured to be getting next week from Swansea, is also the best player in their team.

I have no problem with that strategy, and I don't think it is a flawed strategy. I also think that some of the "current" top 4 teams have used that strategy in the past. Lampard, Carrick, Gary Cahill, probably many more.

If you think about it, up to now, Everton players that have been sold fit that model. Fellaini, Rooney, and now Lukaku. Although I think Lukaku may have jumped too quickly, as I think we will finish above Man Utd this season.

In all instances, these clubs could only replace them with inferior sorts. All moved on to win cups or at least Champions League places.

They sold Sterling to Man City. They bought James Milner and Kolo Torre from Man City after both were rejected by City. They sold Torres to Chelsea. They also bought Joe Cole and Sturridge from Chelsea when both were considered not good enough for Chelsea's first team. They bought Ings from Burnley and Benteke from Villa, both lower half teams in the Premier League at the time.

Stupid post!

Klaassen, Sandro, Keane, Pickford, Onyekuru – all 'stockpiled' this summer. Any of these 5 'over the hill'?

He will be a huge influence on the young players and this will make a difference in some of those 50/50 games where we drew last season and should have won.

Saw the photos of him leaving Finch Farm yesterday and I must add he looked pretty trim and tidy. Maybe just the tonic he needs to get motivated.

I accept that this may not work out, but I reckon it is more than worth it. It seems to me that much of the vitriol towards Rooney is retained bitterness over his original departure. The man is one of the best and most successful English players of all time.

The notion, as I've read elsewhere, that he is another Gascoigne or Ginola type signing is ridiculous. Everton are a different club and he is supplementing other quality signings. We still are not in a position to sign those top level players, but then there are only about five clubs who can.

However these are exciting times, but as ever there are plenty of people who still want to moan and groan about who is leaving and who we aren't signing and how we have no ambition. You are quite simply deluded.

The worst that can happen is that he isn't good enough to get into the team on merit. Koeman will have told him straight, what standards of behaviour he expects. I think Rooney's own determination to show the world, and especially those who think highly of him, that he is good enough for the England squad and the Everton first team, will work out.

Only time will tell but I can't wait to see the lad put on a Royal Blue shirt in our first team.

Personally I wouldn't even have let him in the ground as a fan but he's back now like an ex who dumped you for a richer guy who gets the best of her and then who wants to come back to you when he's had enough and grown tired of her.

If and when he scores I'll be happy and if he kisses the badge I'll laugh to myself and feel sorry for the mugs who think he means it.

I think he'll get games and he has a point to prove. He has come to the club for nothing in terms of a transfer fee and Man Utd are contributing to his wages. Give him a chance.

On another matter, any idea what's going on with Barkley?

He is a winner and won't accept second best. Surely that's got to rub off on the younger players especially when we go across the park.

I think Koeman will play him in a front two, slightly behind the main striker, whoever that may be. A fresh challenge for him is just what he needs. He obviously got stale at Man Utd and Maureen just didn't fancy him.

A rejuvenated Rooney could be good for both parties. He could just be the spark that lights up Everton Football club again. It's all ifs buts and maybes at the moment but it's exciting times at Everton and Rooney coming is part of that. I can't wait for the start of the season and seeing how it all pans out.

Welcome back, Wayne!

Welcome back, Wayne!

A players like Lukaku (who doesn't want to be at Everton) or Wayne Rooney? I know my choice.

Welcome back, Wayne Rooney. I have faith that there is a few decent seasons still in those 31-year-old legs. Even if it means dropping into midfield. And I have faith that Rooney will also produce a few match winning performances. And as for our youngsters, surely they will relish playing alongside Rooney. Even Barkley would relish that.

This has been a good summer so far. We are beginning to look like a solid team and Rooney is part of that – will he even be a future manager, alongside Unsworth and Ferguson? The mind boggles....

Let's rock and roll. COYBs

I'm struggling with this one.

"Personally I wouldn't even have let him in the ground as a fan but he's back now like an ex who dumped you for a richer guy who gets the best of her and then who wants to come back to you when he's had enough and grown tired of her."

In your analogy is Wayne a female who's dumped you for a richer guy? Or is Wayne gay?

But then the richer guy becomes a her. Did she transition after years of being trapped in a mans body? And is that the reason he got fed up.?

Modern life is so confusing.

I still believe, however that better managers were available than one who eschews inventiveness and spontaneity for mere possession. Who looks at a player like Deulofeu and says, "We have got to get rid of him"?

He appears to love the club just as much as us and wants to help improve us, not himself.

Prodigal son returns so let's kill the fatted calf, may that fatted calf be comprised of winning a derby game and a cup.

I can't wait to complete my two-facedness by going berserk at his first goal!

Really pray he can do it, hope he has fire in his belly and is determined to play his heart out!! I still remember those goals against Arsenal and Leeds!!!! Please, Wayne, Do it!!!!!

Obviously knew this was happening and I was in the 'for' camp. My reasons were purely football related, with a little bit of 'commercial profile'. I didn't care about the footballing romance side of things. And then I saw that video...

...and it just brought a feeling back to me. I was in my early twenties when he went and it was kind of the day I grew up. If a boyhood blue couldn't stay past 18 then the game didn't mean what I thought it did. Players didn't give a shit about supporters or clubs. That was a big moment for me and I've been a cynic ever since. Naivety was previously an enjoyable trait to have.

And just as I get that little reminder we have Lukaku, the epitome of that situation. 13 years on and the players don't even pretend to care anymore!

So there's no emotional welcome back to the club for Wayne from me. Between them, he and Everton killed that a long time ago.

In footballing terms though, I've got big hopes for next season. And I do still love this club, despite the self interested parties who pass through the gates.

He could have gone elsewhere and he engineered the move to us. All the evidence is he loves the club and is perfectly entitled to kiss the badge.

Whether he's actually any good as a player we shall see...fingers crossed. In the meantime we can already see the media attention far exceeds that of other signings, even if this is probably less significant than others. Let's hope its a good news story...return of the prodigal son is such a great narrative for last journos to pick up.

At the very least he won't be going to Mordor with a 'we are not worthy' attitude.

New Stadium, Big investments and more to come!!!

Seriously though like my previous post, we have got a player who has won almost everything, broke countless records and some may say taking on a player who is finished, he has unfinished business at Everton.

He will be busting a gut to land a trophy at Everton, his leadership and will to win will be priceless in that Everton dressing room. Any doubters out there, judge the guy afterwards and get behind the guy.

Now for Sigurdsson.

There's always the usual moron like the manc fan who tweeted:

"13 years ago we took your best player and now, 13 years later we are doing the same. Feeder club - bitches!!"

Only for an Evertonian to respond:

"And then we sent you David Moyes who in six months destroyed a 25 year legacy, fool 😂"

Bring on the new season! Best transfer window ever and hopefully not over either. Thank you Mr Moshiri – you've made a cynical old blue rather happy!

How we would welcome players that signed knowing that.

Anyone else think so, but I think he looks leaner already on the photos released today? Maybe the chance to do something special with Everton will reignite the desire and hunger. That's the optimist in me now he's back with us.

Wayne will; be a catalyst for us, I can feel it. He'll be like Peter Reid and won't stand for any thing less than full blooded effort and will to win from every player who pulls on a Blue shirt. Most of all of himself.

Hurry up and start this bloody season! I second your sentiments David Edwards.

Get us going Wayne!

C'mon Bill, this would be right up your street.

Let's get that rumour started.

If Koeman can help Rooney to refocus and to enjoy an Indian summer with us then we have much to look forward to.

We are now all off our heads... obviously apart from the serially miserable on TW who forget football is mainly just little moments of joy and the mostly frustration...ever for Real/Barca fans.

Seize the moment.

CARPE DIEM.

Along with Koeman's similar comments about this and how he is always a competitor.

As we can see, all based on emotion and sentiment!

That will do me.

By the time this goes on the site, who knows, Sigurdsson, may be included, heady days. :-)

I also hope Kenny & Lookman get some game time as they look quality. As a club we seem to have a plan in place and it is looking good.

The older I get the more I look at the positives in a shitty modern world, and this is glorious news. Rooney may not have the goals or pace he once had, but I tell you what, the kid can play midfield, he's a brilliant passer with range, can still finish, leads by example and will be a leader on & off the pitch.

There is literally no downside.

Tony (247) Well said lad.

Time for the wash.

Simon (#261) – "He's even admitted that he's still been wearing Everton pyjamas for the past 13 years!"

He's saying what you want him to. No different to Lukaku at his new club.

These things have the appearance of off the cuff remarks by normal blokes who love the game the way we do. In reality, they're carefully presented statements by multi millionaire employees of massive organisations.

I'm pleased to have Wayne at the club. I think he's still able to improve us. But I won't be buying the bullshit.

I'm actually a bit disappointed in the club playing the #onceablue #welcomehome #rememberthename angle. I do remember the name – he's the boyhood blue who left us at a young age so he could have some success. We're the club who never looked like achieving any success in that period.

A good move on its own merits but the narrative that is accompanying it is absolute shite.

As with all new arrivals, nobody has a Scooby how anyone will perform or fit into the squad until the action begins.

The record books don't lie. Wayne Rooney ranks right up there as one of the greatest players England has produced.

The data also shows ever diminishing returns on appearances and goals (and effectiveness) in the last 2-3 years.

As I'm no Oracle, I haven't a clue whether this will prove an astute and inspirational signing, or more akin to a Gazza-Ginola acquisition.

Naturally, I sincerely hope we bask in a glorious Indian Summer with Wayne. We could well benefit from his Crocky pit bull "I'll show 'em!" belligerence. Equally, his return may prove a dud.

Ever the optimist, I'll lean to the former. He certainly adds to a particular profile type the club is signing this summer: narky winner who just hates to lose.

And that, in the final reckoning, could be fundamental in seeing Everton move onwards and upwards.

I just don't buy into the luvvy romantic shite. That's well and truly dead in the game. Ironically, it was Wayne's only other career transfer that taught me that!

We've never signed a player in our lives mate. We can express views on how we would do it but in the end we support based on emotion.

Bad singing? Waste £20m? You popping over to Citeh? Nah. Why? I rest my case.

I'm sure he has been planning for a life without him for a while.

The spine of the team now looks really strong. On the assumption that Wayne is not intended as the main striker, all we need now is the new number nine.

I am now waiting to see what Koeman he does with the money available.

Oh and welcome back Wayne. And leave your change strip of Manure jarmies somewhere in the Trafford area.

Yes, Rooney's return will flog a few shirts but has anyone been watching his Man Utd performances for the last 2-3 years?? He's been a shadow of the player he was, sometimes embarrassingly so.

My main memory of Rooney in recent times was for England v Iceland at the last Euros, where he showed none of the leadership or quality I'm reading about here.

I love the lad, memories of his first spell will never leave me, but sometimes you just need to say it how it is.

Hope I'm wrong...

Others, if it fails, will just tell their wives "I told 'em. I did love. Honest I did. Nobody listens. I did "

Wife "Zzzzz".

Then we will get it here!

I have posted before that I thought he would return one day. My own reasoning is that when he played in Ferguson's testimonial his head was turned. He realised that for all he did at Man Utd he was never loved and it would never feel like home. All of a sudden he was in a situation where Goodison applauded him like the prodigal son, he wore the shirt, he was back home.

We messed up his head that day and he's wanted to come back ever since. That opening game at Goodison Parkwill be something to remember – don't miss it.

Spot on analysis. Undoubtedly not been the same player in the last two years.

However, Man Utd despite winning three trophies in that time period, have been pretty dismal.

Secondly I'm hugely encouraged by his physical shape in today's interviews. I can't remember seeing him looking so lean. Hopefully the reports of him working out every day on his recent holidays means we are getting a player in much improved physical condition. After all his footballing ability is without question.

Roger at 25, my kids need to step up, I'm with you.

Now it's done, happy to have him back. Get the old lady singing again.

After all, it was well known the Rooney's agent lived next door to a certain Man Utd manager of the time and that they liked to play a round of golf together and, you can't tell me Rooney and Evertons name never came up in the conversation.

Agent then starts the process of unsettling the player, simple acts such as the glitzy 18th birthday party at Aintree race course with a few minor celebs thrown in to start the ball rolling and it goes from there culminating in the acrimonious split between player and boyhood club.

As for Arteta, yes he placed a transfer request as did all the decent players going for profit under the Kenwright/Moyes axis. Transfer request keeps the profit up due to no loyalty payment, simple economics and club policy with each player sold on.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4678306/Everton-bigger-stadium-Anfield.html

The club has very little interest in selling shirts. We have outsourced to Kitbag and we get the same income regardless of the number of shirt sales.

The number of goals he scored from outside the area. He was never a Lineker poacher or a Latchford so playing him deeper is where he will be most suited.

And I admit, my eyes got a bit moist watching them goals go in.

Once Everton has touched you, it never leaves you.

We as fans have never stopped speaking about Wayne, good or bad. Why? Because he is one of ours and always has been. I have been proud of every medal he has won and just wish he could be as appreciated as he should be by fans around the country.

Most of all I'm proud he is coming back, sacrificing millions of pounds he could have had by crossing to other countries. He has a few more brilliant years ahead of him and I have no doubt we as a team are hugely better off with his return!

Welcome home Wayne!

Rooney Rooney Rooney!!

Bill knows what he's doing – he got Moshiri and I know it took time but he kept his promise.

We are back where we belong! Plenty of talent now at the club. Shut the sceptics up and move on.

Thanks, mate. Saw them in the end.

The last contract he signed with United in 2014, the sticking point was who held WR's image rights. For all his affiliation to Everton, his charming agent Stretford will not readily give up that fatted cow.

The entire, overpaid, condescending "it's just lil' ol' Iceland" England squad looked utter crap that day.

They were roundly beaten by a team. A TEAM of players and not 11 over-confident individuals. Iceland were magnificent that day and made a hell of a lot of very talented players look bereft of ideas; pedestrian.

Not just Rooney.

Viking clap.

Rooney will shine for Everton this season.

ps: Don't forget to wash your PJs.

"Tomorrow I'll be training with Wayne Rooney"!!

Where Rooney plays is debatable but I suspect in the Barkley role from last season initially with Barks on the bench if he is still around. Schneiderlin, Klaassen and Gana will have the other 3 midfield slots and the other offensive position is up for grabs depending on the formation that Big Ron opts for.

Personally, I hope another striker is brought in since Kone, Niasse, Valencia and Lukaku will no longer figure in the equation.< He may go with Mirallas or deem Calvert-Lewin ready to join Sandro up front.

Everyone will have their own choices at this stage and there is bound to be widely conflicting opinions but there has to be an air of expectancy and optimism that we haven't had for a long time.

Plucky Little Everton to finish seventh.

I remember calling William Hill to get odds on him being top England scorer at the next World Cup before his Everton debut. I remember that Arsenal goal. I remember the day he left.

I've been very against this deal for the last few weeks as I wasn't (and am still) not sure where exactly he fits in with our team and whether what he brings on the pitch is worth the fuss and money. But to see him in the shirt again sent a shiver down my spine and plastered a smile across my face.

Welcome back, Wayne.

I really hope you manage to turn back the clock and prove my heart right over my head. COYB.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rooney's contract contained some element of image rights but it still wouldn't effect income from merchandise because that is contractually tied up in the Kitbag deal.

I assume a standard part of any players contract is that they participate in club commercial activities. For instance when a new kit is launched they might be one of the selected players to model the kit. He could strike an image rights deal thar means he is additionally compensated for any such promotion. But again any extra kits sold as a result wouldn't currently benefit the club.

Of course there are other streams of commercial income that could be enhanced through his acquisition such as other sponsorship deals, overseas matches, etc. He could well have struck a deal to share in this if his image is used.

We've not seen activity like this for a good while and long may it happen. Sign on Sigurdsson this week and were not far away. Remember we've some very good youngsters waiting in the wings Enjoy these happy times all.

Ronald will mould em into a serious unit have no worries on that score. Great to see Big Dunc welcoming Wayne back.

Good luck, Rom. You did well using Everton to further your career. I hope you succeed with the Red Devils and win all those meaningless tin pots because you know it's all about the bling, about the bling and money... it's all about the bling, about the bling and money.

I'm now hopeful he will make Manyoo regret letting him go. I've confidence in our manager getting a valuable contribution from him, on the pitch and in training. And let's not forget Wayne's vast experience – in European competition especially.

Can't wait for the season to start – and to learn who else is coming in, I fancy there will be at least one more big signing.

COYBB

Hold the presses. Are you telling me that Rooney now at Everton is talking about his love of Everton, and Lukaku now at Man Utd is saying great things about his new club. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

I've never seen a player talk about how excited he is to be at his new club and about all the things they're going to win and how the supporters are great. What a monster that Lukaku is but that Rooney is a Blues legend he is.

I've got no issue with either player but of course you do realise that what you accuse Lukaku of is exactly what Rooney did 13 years ago?

Your view is identical to mine frankly.

Like Eugene has mentioned on this thread, it isn't my money and I will support Wayne 100% in a Everton shirt. Would I have bought him, not sure. One thing is clear, this is a Koeman signing. He wants him, and that is good enough for me.

I am a bit unsure of where he fits in. I am a bit concerned there could be flashes of brilliance that punctuate a slow demise of his professional career, but I am going to be optimistic on this one and judge him as I see him over the next few months. All of us, particularly people like me who have grown up with poor Everton teams (30) were gutted when he left. No need to drag up the past now, he is ours and we move forwards. Up the blues.

Just want to say a massive thank you to everybody at @manchesterunited. Thanks to the boards over the years, the managers and coaches I've played under, the staff I've worked with, the team mates I've played alongside, and finally the amazing fans that I've been lucky enough to have played for. Thanks for the memories ❤️

Lukaku's on leaving Everton: 'Who would say no to the biggest club in the world?'

"Best stadium in England. The best fans. This is the perfect opportunity. I always said I wanted to play for a team that's challenging for every trophy that there is.

"I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, that dominant force. If you look at their history, it says enough. To become part of a club like them is something that I really wanted."

Read threads above of the circumstances behind Rooney's sale to united 13 years ago... Rooney is a real fan of Everton, unlike big Rom who is a fan of bling and money...

Time will tell... Rooney became a united legend rerecord breaker... Rom I predict will fail... because his arrogance does not match his talent, unlike Wayne Rooney.

One was born a Evertonian, one wasn't.

One actually handed in a transfer request, one didn't.

I've got no beef with either player and now he's wearing blue I'm much more interested in how one performs.

All the faux outrage is all a bit tiresome.

And then we smash our wage structure for someone approaching 32 with a physique close to that of McGeady when he first walked out at Goodison looking like I do in my Everton top (which isn't something I'd brag about).

But then I thought - what if he'd gone to Stoke? Or to West Brom? He wouldn't be pulling up trees for those clubs but it just wouldn't have felt right.

So for that reason alone I'm accepting his signing as the right thing for him and us. And come August when I see him leading us out of the tunnel to Z-Cars (I don't think even Jags would begrudge him the armband) I'm sure I'll have a lump in my throat and a feeling that the planets have finally aligned and our star is once again in the ascendance.

I hear the noise complaint was Lukaku shouting loudly for Pogba to put his name on the ball and cross it onto his left foot exactly where he wants it and then the said ball hitting next door's roof when it was repeatedly blazed wide.

He won't make the court hearing anyway as he never turns up when he's needed in an important event

He was always a transitional player and everyone other than Man Utd is just smiling nonchalantly.

One actually handed in a transfer request, one didn't.

You beaut!

This could be the master stroke.

COYB.

Any part of that statement you dispute?

You may also want to dial the personal insults down.

You know nothing of the circumstances of Rooney's departure and YOU are personally insulting people on here by accusing them of their feelings being "faux".

I will cheer for Rooney as I do for anyone that wears Everton blue but I too wonder where he will play. We really need lots of pace upfront to be effective and unfortunately Rooney doesn't provide that.

Anyway, I hope I'm completely wrong and Wayne is a great success.

Apart from my hope that Rooney could bring about a resurrection of Barkley, my main hope for Wayne is that he can be turned into a serious passer and a setter of tempo. It's also conceivable that Koeman sees him as an out and out finisher.

Either way, Rooney must stop thinking that he has to exhaust himself in the team's cause and that he must always be involved. If he can develop the arts of patience and stillness then that is our and his best hope.

Counter-intuitively, we need him to slow down if he's going to offer something serious to us.

I love Wayne, always followed his career. Was proud of his achievements knowing where he had come from. I also never had a problem with him wanting to move. The Everton of 2004 was not really a place to be when you were the best teenage footballer in the world.

But let's not re write history here. He through his agent actively sought a move by handing in a transfer request.

The money received may well have shored up our precarious finances but let's not pretend he was dragged kicking and screaming from the club.

Are you seriously disputing Wayne Rooney handed in a transfer request after Euro 2004?

Oh and I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings. Is this where I insert a smiley face?

Whether he did or didn't, if he hadn't of been sold no-one would be having this conversation as the club were in dire straits financially at the time.

And if anyone couldn't see that he was miles ahead of what Everton could offer at the time, they should of gone to specsavers.

Welcome back, Wayne.

David (#316) It wasn't what was said about their new clubs but rather the lack of anything about EFC from Lukaku.

I wonder, considering this long-felt and often stated need to play in the Champions League and the new love affair with Pogba, where would Lukaku have gone if Man Utd hadn't won the Europa Cup?

As for kissing the Man Utd badge, what do you expect when the nasty side of football fans give anyone stick to a young man they just react in the moment... Time will tell if Wayne can make a positive contribution back to his boyhood team

Do you have a single credible source for your assertion he was advised to hand a transfer request in?

Here's how he was quoted in the Echo at the time.

Rooney said: "I hope Everton's fans will understand my decision."

"This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I feel the time is now right for me to move forward with my career.

"The Euros were a fantastic experience for me. It made me realise I could play at the highest level.

"To do that I need to be with a club that is playing in Europe every year. I hope the Everton fans can come to understand my decision and I hope the transfer fee Everton Football Club receive will help the club move forward.

"The Everton fans have always been fantastic in their support of me. I hope they respect my decision and I also hope that some day in the future I could be welcomed back to watch the team I have supported since boyhood."

Again I personally have no issue with his decision at the time, even listening to the quote you can hear he was conflicted but again let's not imagine he was dragged kicking and streaming out of the club.

He left because he could, because his star had risen and Man Utd being the biggest club in the world at the time wanted him. This wasn't some sob story of Rooney being forced out, he wanted out and made it happen.

But sometimes, like Spiderman, my sixth sense has tingles and my tingles tells me Rooney left as a boy reluctantly with a statement from the club to ease the displeasure of the fans and all under a cloud of not wanting to go...

But he is back and as a man wanting to prove his point. I am Spiderman and my tingles are never wrong... hahaha!

Same as Arteta?

Besides myself with happiness.

Feel like I've got a Yankee bet up.

Go ed Wayne son.

I am equally in two minds about what he can do on the pitch – he is clearly a shadow of his former self but he didn't actually have such a bad season last year. Sure, few goals but his general play was decent and he created plenty of chances for Ibrahimovic for one.

Quite foolishly, it dawned on me pretty slowly that we have just signed a true legend of a footballer. He is a global icon, it is undeniable. So, whether or not he produces consistently on the pitch is one thing but the stature of the club has just shot up across the world, this is something everybody is noticing.

Again let's just deal in facts.

It is an easily verifiable fact that he handed in his transfer request on the 27th August, leaving five days for a transfer to be arranged, after both Newcastle Utd and Manchester Utd had made transfer bids turned down by the club.

Unlike Arteta, who did hand in a transfer request on deadline day after Everton turned down 㾶m from Arsenal.

That's a no then, other than your Spider sense?

Maybe not enough to convince me on consideration.

However I am with you in that I'm chuffed he's back.

I would have given Hibbo's dog a two-year deal at 𧵎k a week to show a bit of balls and pissed offness – I that a word? – during a game.

For years we've apologised for fouling opposition players, placed the ball for them for free kicks, clapped opponents when they've scored against us and been the most nicest team in the world. So if Wayne (or Hibbo's dog) can break that mould, then brilliant!

But so desperate then to hand in a request in the previous 7 weeks the window was open?

Again let's not rewrite history. There is a public record of Wayne explaining why he wanted to leave. I have quoted it in #342.

In the 13 years since the transfer happened, I have not seen one public assertion he was forced out of the club.

We have no idea what negotiations were going on between the end of the Euros when he became the hottest property in world football and when he handed in his transfer request. Unless of course you have some inside info you wish to share.

So I know it fits a current narrative to make him some sort of martyr who was cast into the wilderness, but in reality he left for fame and fortune.

And good on him I say.

You put up a good fight.

Do you remember that Summer? It was a foregone conclusion. I remember it quite well, being in Houston for the matches against Pachuca and America. I made the mistake of wearing my Rooney jersey and the looks I got from other Blues, you would have thought I walked up in a Gerard shirt.

It wasn't a last minute thing, it was Everton who waited until the last minute to allow the transfer – just as Moyes always did. It was always a case of waiting until the last minute and then finally giving in to the inevitable and coincidentally not allowing us time to sign the needed replacements.

We should all be invested in the future and look forward to the new team. I am cautiously optimistic as it would take a while to gel as a team and weed out duds. That comes with the territory of buying so many players for the first team.

That has crossed my mind, too. And he was the one who asked to play in Ferguson's testimonial.

A couple did it close to transfer deadline so fair point, but this guy has tried from the first season he joined to tout for a bigger club, at every opportunity, international breaks, like I said not even had the decency to return to Finch Farm on Thursday to say his goodbyes to his ex team mates, not one single tweet mentioning Everton Football Club or the fans that backed him.

As an ex Red once said, I would love it, I would really love it if we were successful and he falls flat on his lazy fat arse.

I'll start it off: I wouldn't.

Why would we want a player if they failed? Wouldn't the better question be if Lukaku succeeds at United, would you have him back?

These things are all stage-managed by the player's agents/teams, and it would be one hell of an oversight to not issue such a statement once the transfer is confirmed.

Lukaku has not shown himself to be hugely sensitive to Everton in his various media interviews over the years – and while his assertion that Man Utd are the biggest club in the world (and have the best fans) might be a slightly bitter pill at this point, it'll be sweet music to Man Utd fans– who are going to be the people that he will soon be answerable to.

For the record, I am glad he is going. I cannot argue with his goalscoring record, but I feel that we will be better equipped as a team once he is gone.

I for one, have never thought that he's on his way out yet, he's still got plenty to offer and I can't wait to see him leading the line on the way to the Blues winning the title. Yes, winning the title.

We need to forgive and move on from 13 years ago. I'm all for giving him a chance. It's going to be some ride this season. :)

His performance in & since the World Cup in South Africa have not been to international standard and his Premier League appearances in the pass 5 years have been based on trying to justify the decision of paying him inflated wages.

His next move will be to America or China. The move to Everton is to give him a shop window. No way is he at Everton to improve the club. To think so is completely delusional.

He looks that he knows this and is smiling as the gravy train continues for the foreseeable future.

Where did I say that you said he didn't want to leave?
(You see how this works!)

Undoubtedly the Rooney transfer money helped at a time of precarious finance but thinking that our club would have gone out of business without it is a bit of a stretch.

Personally I don't need to forgive anyone because I never blamed him in the first instance. He made the right move for himself and his family financially and the right move footballing wise.

I still don't see the sense bringing him back. We'll see...

This man is Billy Boots and when back at EFC he will come out flying. Yes, there at defenders and people who do not believe, but hey-ho – this man creates miracles, even if there is a slide on his physical skills.

The sharpness – the brain and the touch is still sublime, let's hope – and it is a hope that his talent in the ball turns into goals; that would be wonderful .

But just to have our boy back – to have the guile, the sharpness of thinking, and the confidence will do this side well!

I hope you are right; I have been a supporter of Everton since the 1960s. While I agree with you that Wayne Rooney has great skills which he will never lose, his physical fitness to get the space and time to apply these skills in the Premier League has been found wanting for sometime.

Also a lot of Man United supporters have been disappointed at his lack of effort and commitment to redress this short fall , though he has been fortunate with injuries. As Johnny Giles said, "I had the privileged to have good skills, but always throughout my career I worked hard to show them at the highest level, unlike other players. " Compare Rooney to Ronaldo.

Everton have always achieved as a tight team, when they are not dependent on a individual player. Rooney as a saviour is not going to happen, under the present Manager. Rooney was also fortunate he was a member of a good team under Sir Alex.

Is he worth the wages he is going to get? Does he think he is going to turn the clock back? Is he glad that Everton exist and sign him? What other team wanted him in the Premier League? Have we all heard the same template from various players, been rolled out by the Everton Official Website. Does he think about China and USA.

Good Luck, Steven, this season, I hope you are right.

Rooney has the skill, but his fitness and ability to get time and space has declined below Premier League standard.

Can the Manager build a team to progress? This is a question which has not been answered yet. Rooney is also very dependent on the answer to this question.

Will Rooney be happy to let the funds flow, that he is accustomed too, and shop window himself for another pay day.

Last week Johnny Giles said, "I was given great skills and always tried and worked hard to perform at the highest levels of performance, others didn't. "