“Heartbroken” - Wayne Rooney opens up on Everton exit for Man Utd and handing in transfer request on napkin

The striker’s departure to Old Trafford in 2004 caused a stir among Toffees fans at the time.
Wayne Rooney poses after signing for Manchester United from Everton in 2004. Picture: AUL BARKER/AFP via Getty ImagesWayne Rooney poses after signing for Manchester United from Everton in 2004. Picture: AUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney poses after signing for Manchester United from Everton in 2004. Picture: AUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images

Wayne Rooney admitted he was “heartbroken” when he was forced to leave Everton for Manchester United - and had to hand in a transfer request on a napkin.

Rooney departed his boyhood club aged just 18 in the summer of 2004 following a sparkling breakthrough from the club’s academy two years earlier.

Rooney touted to other teams

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United paid £27 million for the striker and he would go on to win five Premier League titles and the Champions League at Old Trafford, as well as become England‘s all-time top goalscorer.

However, Rooney claimed it was Everton who engineered his exit as they needed to raise funds.

And after rebuffing a move to Chelsea, the only way he was allowed to leave Goodison Park for Manchester United was if he handed in a transfer request - which he did in the most informal of ways.

‘I was devestated’

Speaking on the Tony Bellew Is Angry Podcast, Rooney said: “Before Euro 2004, I knew that I was getting touted to other teams - because Everton needed the money. Certain individuals were going into other clubs saying: ‘Would you take Wayne Rooney for £30 million?’

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“I was heartbroken, I loved the club and wanted to play for Everton. To find that out, I was devastated. I would have left at some point, of course, I would’ve, to try to better myself and go and win trophies. But I was devastated.

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesWayne Rooney celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

“I was getting pushed to go and play for Chelsea because they offered the most money, but I said: ‘You’re not dictating where I go - I want to go to Manchester United’.

“It was less money for Everton, but that’s where I wanted to play. I didn’t want to go to London, I didn’t want to go to Chelsea. But I got told the only way you’re going to Man Utd is if you put a transfer request in.

“This was in Moyesy’s (former manager David Moyes) office. So I went into the canteen and wrote: ‘I, Wayne Rooney, request a transfer from Everton Football Club’ on a napkin or something! Walked back into Moyesy’s office and said: ‘There you go’.

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“I felt I got backed into a corner to a certain extent, but that’s football.”

Rooney’s return

Rooney would be reunited with Everton when he rejoined the club in July 2017.

In his second spell, he scored 11 goals in 40 games before departing for MLS side D.C. United a year later.

He came back to England in January 2020 to join Derby County and is now manager of the Championship side.