Rooney signs on

The teenager announced himself as one of the brightest talents in English football when flashing a 25-yard volley past David Seaman to end Arsenal`s unbeaten Premiership run in October.

Rooney has caught the eye with a number of taking performances, leading to calls for an England call-up, but his contract situation has commanded as many headlines.

Reported wranglings over image rights and the appointment of a new agent have hampered developments, but talks progressed well this week and terms were agreed on Friday.

Talk of a move to Real Madrid was dismissed by The Toffees earlier in the month, while Italian giants Internazionale and Milan were said to be keen on the 17-year-old striker.

All the talk was sure to be unsettling, but the fears of the Goodison Park faithful were eased on Friday when Rooney penned a three-and-a-half-year deal.

"It was always going to be Everton," said Rooney. "I never even thought about signing for another club.

"I have been an Everton fan all my life and I am delighted now that everything with the contract has been sorted out.

"It is huge for me, I can`t really put it into words.

"It means a lot and it is a dream come true, really." 

A further boost for Everton was the decision by defensive starlet Tony Hibbert to commit his future to the club by signing a new deal.

Toffees deputy chairman Bill Kenwright was pleased to seal the deals, saying: "Over the last couple of years this club has seen a number of its promising youngsters depart, so it is a relief to see two of the major stars sign on.

"Negotiations have been concluded and Tony Hibbert and Wayne Rooney have signed new deals.

"I am a huge fan of his (Hibbert). I love full backs who say 'that ball`s mine' and go for it.

"The other fella is simply the best I have ever seen. Arsene Wenger says he is the best and I agree."