July 18 – Former England captain Wayne Rooney says he decided to further his career in the United States with DC United because he did not want to “hang around and be a dead weight”.
Rooney, who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, said he remained hungry for success and wanted to win trophies.
The 32-year-old left Everton in June after scoring 208 goals in 491 Premier League appearances over 16 years.
“Everton made it clear if there was an offer there, they would be happy for me to go,” Rooney, who made his DC United debut on Saturday, told the BBC.
“I understand they have brought a new manager in, got new staff, they obviously want to bring in players that manager wants.
“I am sure it will release money for the new players who come in. I am sure that was in their thinking. I said to them if that is what you want, I am not going to hang round and be a dead weight. I will go somewhere else and play.”
“I spoke to the (DC United) owners, I was excited by the team. They told me about the new stadium and the new training ground they are opening next April. It felt like the club was moving in the right direction.”
Rooney, who won 119 caps for England, also spoke of ambitions to move into coaching.
“In the back of my mind, I am hoping that by the end of that three and a half years, I will have all my coaching badges done. Then I have the opportunity to do what comes up, whether that is coaching, management or TV.”
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