Rooney signs for Manchester United: Kai follows in dad Wayne’s footsteps

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 4 min read

Manchester United have signed Kai Rooney, son of the club’s record scorer, Wayne, to their academy.

The 11-year-old was pictured signing terms with the Old Trafford side on Thursday alongside a shirt that boasted the No.10 – Rooney Sr.’s famous number.

Rooney, who is currently active as Derby County interim manager, posted the image on social media along with a message of support for his son.

“Proud day. Kai signing for Man Utd. Keep up the hard work son,” he said.

Rooney at Man Utd

Rooney enjoyed a storied career at Old Trafford, where he has spent the bulk of his career.

He joined the club in 2004 from Everton for a fee of over £25 million – a record fee for a teenager at the time.

Rooney settled quickly into life under Sir Alex Ferguson and marked his debut with a memorable hat-trick against Fenerbahce.

He went on to score 253 goals for Manchester United in all competitions, surpassing the previous best, which was set by Bobby Charlton. Meanwhile, his 183 goals for the Red Devils mean that he has scored more times for a single club than any other player in the Premier League era.

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With United, he enjoyed tremendous team success. He was a member of a squad that won five Premier League titles, including the club’s last in the 2012/13 campaign, while he also helped them to the 2007/08 Champions League and the 2016/17 Europa League.

After leaving Old Trafford in the summer of 2017, he moved back to Goodison Park for a single season then had two campaigns in MLS with DC United.

At the conclusion of the 2019 MLS season, he switched back to Derby, where he is now in interim charge following the departure of Phillip Cocu.

His Derby side are presently on a five-match undefeated run, although their 1-0 win over Millwall away from home is their only success in seven matches he has overseen.