22 Feb 2014

England striker Rooney signs new deal at United

10:40 am on 22 February 2014

England footballer Wayne Rooney has signed a new five and a half year contract that will keep him at Manchester United until June 2019.

The 28-year-old's new deal will earn him a reported $600,000 a week.

Rooney, who left Everton for Old Trafford in 2004, had just 18 months left on his previous deal and was a transfer target for Chelsea last year, sparking speculation he could leave at the end of this season.

Premier League champions United have struggled since David Moyes took over as manager in the close season and tying Rooney to a new contract will come as a relief after predecessor Alex Ferguson said at the end of last term that the player had asked for a transfer.

Rooney is 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton as United's record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club.