The intriguing story of how Wayne Rooney almost signed for Newcastle United

England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer today called time on his playing days in a career that lasted 19 years.

As a 16-year-old, Rooney burst onto the Premier League scene with Everton in 2002, becoming the country’s most talked-about teenager.

Two years later, Rooney moved to Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned a transfer worth £25.6million – a record fee for a player under the age of 20.

As they say, the rest is history, with the striker going on to score 253 goals for the Red Devils and in the process lift five Premier League titles.

However, as revealed by Rooney last year when speaking to UTD Podcast, things could have turned out very differently.

He explained just how close he came to joining Newcastle United instead.

He said: “I think going to the Euros and doing well there probably added a bit more money onto the transfer fee but I broke my foot and found out a few things.

“Everton were really struggling for money at the time and I found out they were listening to offers from people as well.

“They were trying to push me to sign for Chelsea because they were going to pay the most money. But, once I knew United were interested, I wanted some confirmation that they did want to sign me.

“Once I knew they did want to sign me, it was the only club as I wanted to work with Sir Alex Ferguson and play with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, these players, so I knew where I wanted to go.

“It was 40 minutes from my home, where I grew up, as well and it was a perfect fit for me. United actually wanted to wait a year, until the following year, but then Newcastle came into talks with Everton and with myself.

“I'd gone too far then. I couldn't wait another year, I couldn't stay another year at Everton, so I was prepared to go to Newcastle for that year.

“I spoke to them, we spoke about salary and what I wanted if I went there was, after a year, if Manchester United come in, you have to let me go.

“Newcastle were agreeing to that but obviously, with United, I went back to them and said, if you don't do it now, I'll go to Newcastle with a clause in place. United obviously didn't want me to go there so I came here.

“It was basically whatever Newcastle paid for me, United would have paid a year later.”

Rooney takes charge of the Championship club full-time having been in interim charge since the end of November.

Former Newcastle favourite Shay Given has been promoted to first-team coach, while Liam Rosenior, formerly of Hull City and Brighton, takes up the role of assistant manager.

Steve McClaren will continue his duties as technical director and advisor to the board of directors.

Rooney's first game as permanent boss will be on Saturday when they face Rotherham United at Pride Park.