The eldest son of Manchester United’s all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney could soon follow in his father’s footsteps after being offered a new contract by the club.
Wayne Rooney’s eldest son Kai has been offered a new contract by Manchester United (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney’s 16-year-old son Kai has been offered a contract by Manchester United as he looks to follow in his famous father’s footsteps.
Kai has been in United’s academy for several years and is an attacker like Rooney Senior. After a successful youth career, Kai became one of a group of 14 highly-rated young players to be offered new terms by United.
According to The Sun, Kai and Jaycee Carrick, son of current Red Devils head coach Michael, have been offered new contracts, along with other players. If accepted, Rooney Jr. will receive a one-year scholarship and a three-year professional contract when he turns 17.
The report says the Rooney family has not yet given the green light to the deal, but the deal will see him earn around £50,000 a year and an annual contract bonus.
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A source told the magazine: “The group is so strong that most of the boys, including Kai and Jaycee, have been offered contracts. This means they will be able to take up full-time ‘football employment’ once they leave school and be guaranteed professional status when they turn 17.”
“They still have a long way to go to make the grade, but they can be very proud that the club thinks they have a chance to make the grade.”
Kai will soon follow in his famous father’s footsteps (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Wayne, the club’s all-time leading scorer, spoke of his pride after watching his eldest son represent Manchester United against Derby County in the FA Youth Cup last month.
“Kai was promoted to the Under-18s team for the Youth Cup and it was great to see him play. It reminded me of when I was playing in the Youth Cup for Everton.”
“It was a proud moment and I’m happy for him. Hopefully he can keep it going and do well for the team.”
Kai’s mother Colleen made it clear that she was not pressuring her children to follow in Wayne’s footsteps. Speaking to the Mirror in September 2024, she said: “We’ve never pressured them to play football. We’ve always just let them decide what they want to do. My 8-year-old son played and did very well, but then decided he didn’t want to do it, and that’s fine.”
Kai with his parents, Wayne and Colleen (Image: Getty Images)
“I think sometimes they get pressure from other people. When we’re out, sometimes people come up to them. They say, ‘Are you as good as your dad?'” Kai says, “I’m a different type of player.” We have to let them know that they don’t have to conform, they just have to be themselves. ”
Meanwhile, Wayne is delighted with the interest Michael Carrick and the coaching staff have shown in the academy since taking over. He told the BBC’s podcast last month: “It’s great to see all the coaches taking so much interest in the academy. It’s important that they take that interest because some of those players may get first-team opportunities in the coming years.”
Wayne, pictured with Kai, is Manchester United’s record goalscorer (Image: Man Utd via Getty Images)
“They also played in an Under-16s game on Saturday before heading to London, so it’s great to see that back at the club.”
“I’ve been quite vocal about this. It used to be the norm, but in the last few years it’s gone. With two of my players being in the academy, I’d never seen anything like that and it was a little disappointing. It gives encouragement to the players and the parents of the players to see a first-team manager there. That’s how clubs should be run.”
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