Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Derby’s new permanent manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal, retiring as a player in the process, the Championship club have announced.
Rooney retires after a stellar playing career in which he won five Premier League titles, along with one Champions League and one Europa League crown during his time at Manchester United.
He is the club’s record goalscorer, and is also England’s top scorer of all time with 53 goals in 120 appearances.
The 35-year-old had been in charge of the Rams on an interim basis since Dutch boss Phillip Cocu was sacked in November.
"When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby," he said.
"The stadium, training ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.
"Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me."
He began his career at Everton and returned to his boyhood club in 2017 before a switch to the MLS with D.C. United.
In 2020 he joined Derby County but hasn't played since last November, after taking the reigns temporarily with the Rams in the Championship relegation places.
The club’s chief executive Stephen Pearce said in a statement: "We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager.
“Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances, notably the 2-0 home win over Swansea City and the 4-0 victory at Birmingham City.
“During that nine-game run we also dramatically improved their defensive record and registered five clean sheets in the process, while in the attacking third we became more effective and ruthless too."
The club also confirmed that Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker would retain their positions as part of Rooney’s backroom staff.