The former Everton forward was given a tour of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore dock
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Rooney at Everton's new stadium(Image: Everton YouTube)
Wayne Rooney has had his say on Everton's new stadium. The former forward, who had two spells with the Blues, has been given an all-access tour of the new facility at Bramley-Moore dock.
Everton are set to move away from Goodison Park at the end of the current season and will move into their state-of-the-art facility at the start of the 2025-26 term.
Last month, 10,000 supporters were given the chance to watch a game at the new stadium for the first time when the Blues' Under-18s faced Wigan Athletic. Rooney, a boyhood Evertonian, has been given a chance to take a look around too.
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A video on Everton's official YouTube channel captured the England legend's reaction as he walked out onto the pitch at Bramley Moore.
"It's brilliant, obviously driving in I've gone past it quite a few times," he said. "It's the first time coming in and obviously seeing it from the inside is brilliant.
"A long time coming! I remember when I joined Everton at nine and there was talk about a new stadium then."
"From a selfish point of view you wish you were playing and wish you were involved in the game. It's history. Obviously the last game at Goodison is going to be history and the first game here is going to be something unique. Hopefully I'll be here to watch the game."
The 39-year-old, who was recently sacked from his job at Plymouth Argyle, was then asked about where he would like to sit in the new stadium for the first match.
"There [the dugout]!" joked Rooney. "I remember going to Goodison and being sat behind the pillars. There's no obstructed views - I don't think there will be a bad view.
"Even though it's a big stadium it still feels quite tight. With the way the stadium is built I imagine the noise will generate and keep the noise in the stadium."
Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old with Everton in 2002 before an ill-tempered move to Manchester United in 2004. In the 13 years that followed he became the all-time record goalscorer for United and England.
He returned to Everton for a season in 2017-18 before departing for Major League Soccer outfit DC United.