Rooney extends United contract

Manchester, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Manchester United announced Friday that Wayne Rooney has signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2019.

The 28 year-old first signed with United from Everton in 2004 and has gone on to play in 430 games for the Red Devils. His total of 208 goals for United puts him fourth in the club's all-time scoring list behind Jack Rowley (211), Denis Law (237) and Bobby Charlton (249).

"Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003," former Everton boss David Moyes said in a statement. "Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent. With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge.

"I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club. These opportunities only come to special players and I'm confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach. These are really exciting times for everyone connected with the club."

Rooney's new deal also includes a clause that will see the England international assume an ambassadorial role upon his retirement.