Jose Mourinho,
among many others, was quick to pay tribute to Wayne Rooney following his
emotional move to Everton from Manchester United, describing him as a 'model
professional'.
Rooney has returned
to Goodison Park on a two-year contract, 13 years after leaving for the Old
Trafford outfit in a £26.5million deal.
After the move was
confirmed on Sunday afternoon, Mourinho told United's official website: 'It is
no secret that I have long been an admirer of Wayne; he has been a model
professional throughout his time at the club and will remain in the history
books for many years to come.
'It is never easy
to see a great player playing less football than he would like and I could not
stand in his way when he asked to go back to Everton. His experience, focus and
determination will be missed and I wish him well for the future.'
Meanwhile,
executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: 'Wayne has been a fantastic servant
to United since the moment he signed for us as a prodigiously talented,
explosive teenager some 13 seasons ago.
'Who can forget his
storybook debut hat trick against Fenerbahce, the spectacular overhead kick against
City and the countless match-winning performances in his time here?
'He goes having
created some of the most magical moments in some of the most successful years
in the club's history. Wayne leaves us as our greatest ever goalscorer and
having won every major trophy in the game.
'His record will
take decades for anyone to get close to matching and I am extremely grateful
for the way he has led from the front since being appointed club captain three
years ago.
'On behalf of the
whole club and our hundreds of millions of fans around the world, we wish Wayne
all the very best for the next phase of his incredible career.'
'But after much
discussion, the club has decided to accept his request to rejoin his boyhood
team.'
And the tributes
have kept flooding in for Rooney, who Sportsmail understands has agreed to a
salary reduction of around 50 per cent as part of the deal taking him back to
his boyhood club.
Straight after the
transfer was sealed, former United team-mate Gary Neville said on Twitter: 'The
best striker I ever played with and saw at the club.'
Neville's brother
Phil, who played for both United and Everton, wrote on his social media page:
'What a great signing for Everton, good luck Wayne Rooney - left one great club
and signed for another great club!!'
United's official
Twitter account also posted a video celebrating Rooney's successful career with
the Premier League giants.
The likes of Sir
Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand all pitched in with special praise
for Rooney, who won the Premier League five times, the Champions League and FA
Cup both once with the club.
Furthermore,
midfielder Ander Herrera clearly cherished the chance of playing alongside
Rooney, writing on Twitter: 'One day I will be able to tell my grandkids I
played with you. All the best and thank you Wayne Rooney #FarewellToALegend.'
And it wasn't just
footballers who were quick to compliment the 31-year-old for his services in
Manchester.
Grime star and
United supporter Stormzy wrote on Twitter: 'Legend, we thank you Wayne Rooney.'
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