Forward Wayne Rooney
On what made D.C. United the right fit and what he would like to achieve at the club...
“First of all, it is an exciting league. I’ve watched the league from afar over the last few years and having spoken to Jason [Levien] and a lot of people at the club over the last couple of months. I was excited by the project, the new stadium, the new training ground and the team. Obviously, we’re a young team, and we need to improve, I think that’s clear to see. We have to improve and start getting better results. I think there is talent in the team, maybe with a little bit of guidance and a little bit of help, on and off of the pitch, I can help them and they can help me. So, I am looking forward to it—a new challenge, a new culture, a new league to play in and new teammates. I’m excited for the first game, I can't wait to get started.”
On his first days in D.C....
“It’s been quite full the last few days. Yesterday was the first day that I could really relax, chill out and do nothing and watch a couple of the World Cup games. I watched the Red Bulls beat Toronto last night also. I also have to say, I thank the fans for the reception they gave me upon my arrival at the airport. It was fantastic and I never expected it and I appreciate it.”
On leaving his boyhood club Everton for a second time...
"Again, it's football. Everton was a club I grew up supporting. I was grateful and delighted to go back there last summer. In football, you never know what’s around the corner. I made the decision to come here. I’m sure there are a lot of questions of why I left Everton and I’m sure the people that want to know can ask Everton Football Club and let them answer it. But, I made the decision to come here and I am delighted to be here. Obviously as I keep on saying, I am excited and just looking forward to the first game."
On the D.C. weather...
"Obviously, it’s hot, but the one thing which I was concerned about was whether it would be difficult to breath with the humidity, but in the sessions I’ve had it’s been fine. Of course, I’ll have to adapt and hopefully get used to it, but it’s been okay so far."
On his expectations in D.C. and the potential of more roster additions...
"I’m sure more players are going to come in. Hopefully that’s the case anyway. We want to keep on trying to build on the team. As I said before, I know it’s been a tough few years for the club, but the club is moving in the right direction. The league has gotten better and the I think the club realized that and have to improve if we want to be successful again, and I believe that is what the club is trying to do. Of course, with the new stadium, the training grounds, which all look fantastic, but, in order for the club to move forward, we will need to bring a few more players in and I’m sure the manager and owners are looking at that and looking at players they can bring in."
On his attraction to D.C...
"I’ve been to a few different states in the U.S. [D.C.] seems like the right fit to bring my family up. I looked into the area and I wanted to come over and have a look around to see it first-hand. It just seemed like the right place where my family could move over, go to school with other children and have a nice upbringing. I’ve been to places like L.A. and New York and it’s too hectic, it’s like London. For me, I never fancied going to live in London. I need my own space to get away from things when I need to, and Washington seemed to give me that opportunity to do that."
Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager & VP of Soccer Operations
On any pressure put on and expectations of Wayne Rooney...
"It’s a starting point. He is in his preseason now and he has to get fit. That is the first and foremost point…in 100-degree heat to boot, so, we welcome him with some summery D.C. weather, but the focus is the first match. July 14 when we open up Audi Field, that’s what Wayne is focused on, that’s what the club is focused on. Getting him ready, getting him prepared. The team is in L.A. right now, he hasn’t had a chance yet to really meet and bond with his teammates, he’ll do that this Friday when the team returns from that trip. From that moment on, we press on and focus on Saturday night, July 14.
On how the signing came to fruition...
"We were told from Wayne directly when he was here in Washington in May that he was all in. That he was all in on this project and wanted this to get done. So, we were confident that we could get all the little details finalized. We are thrilled to have concluded this deal."
Jason Levien, Managing General Partner & CEO
Opening statement...
"This is really a seminal moment in our organization, and, we believe, for the District. Two weeks from today, we are going to christen a new cathedral for soccer here in D.C., Audi Field, that took many years and a lot of hurt.
With the number of caps for England at a historic level, and the three World Cup appearances, it has been an amazing career so far for Wayne Rooney, and when I have spent time with him over the past couple of months and talked about his hunger for the game, his love to lead, his love to win and what he wants to accomplish in this chapter for D.C. United and Major League Soccer, it became more and more exciting, and it became clear that this was not just an opportunity that fit so well for Wayne, but it was one that all of our fans here in D.C. are going to love and relish.
One thing I do want to mention is the lady to my left [Muriel Bowser] has been a tireless partner for us in building D.C. United, in growing our fan base and our stadium, Audi Field, which we are going to introduce next week at another ceremony to talk about what an accomplishment that is. I want to thank Mayor Bowser for her support, for her partnership in this key economic development in Buzzard Point. Her love of sport and her love of soccer, we saw her out at RFK supporting us, and we cannot wait to see her at Audi Field supporting us, and getting behind us and Wayne Rooney. Thank you, Mayor Bowser."
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser
Opening statement...
"Good afternoon everyone. We are very excited—I want to give Jason Levien and the entire team at D.C. United a big, big round of applause. They deserve a lot of credit for having a vision for our team, for soccer in D.C., for Audi Field, and I did not know they had Wayne Rooney up their sleeve. We were all excited and thrilled, let's hear it for Wayne Rooney, our newest member.
It has been a tremendous month for sports fans in D.C. We started talking three and a half years ago about cementing our place as a sports capital, in addition to being our nation's capital. We know we have the best fans in the world and the best city in the world, and we are very pleased that our teams are making the key investments that they need to build on our championship city status. We know that D.C. United for years and years has made us a champion. We are proud to have won the Stanley Cup here in D.C.; we think we have a World Series in our future as well, and we know that soccer and soccer fans are going to be incredibly supportive of D.C. United.
I wanted to be here to welcome Wayne Rooney and his family. Now, when you are Mayor of Washington D.C., Wayne, one thing that I do is I make proclamations, and so today I will proclaim this day in Washington D.C. "Wayne Rooney Day," and for these reasons: After many seasons as a leading goal scorer with Manchester United and Everton in the United Kingdom, Wayne is a sensation, and he has signed with Washington D.C.'s D.C. United. Wayne's arrival in the sports capital brings a palatable excitement to fans. With almost 500 matches, 208 goals, and many player of the year accolades behind him, we look forward to Wayne adding more goals, games, and championships to his already-impressive career.
Born in Liverpool, we think Wayne Rooney and his family will feel right at home here in Washington D.C., a city home to a diverse population of more than 700,000 people, where you can find restaurants that offer classic British fare, mashed fish and chips and Shepard's pie. You name it, we have it. When stadium employees, fans, press and teammates begin to fill into Audi Field for the first time, the energy coursing throughout the new home for D.C. United will be combined with the great excitement of Wayne Rooney's participation on our team. D.C. United fans here in D.C. and throughout our region anticipate following Wayne and watching him lead us to championships for years to come. So, for all of those reasons, today in Washington D.C. is Wayne Rooney Day."
