United sign up Rooney until 2019

Manchester United FC have secured the services of Wayne Rooney until 2019 after the England forward agreed to a four-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old's previous deal was set to expire in the summer of 2015 but the former Everton FC man, who joined the Red Devils in 2004, put pen to paper on new terms. "I'm very happy to have signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United," said Rooney. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to know that I will be playing here for the majority of my career is something that I'm looking forward to. I've had a lot of special moments and hope there are many more to come."

United manager David Moyes added: "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. Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history."

Rooney has appeared for the Premier League champions 430 times and is fourth on United's all-time leading scorer list with 208, 41 shy of club record holder Sir Bobby Charlton. Since moving from Goodison Park he has won the Premier League title on five occasions, as well as the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League. With nine goals in the league this season, and two in European competition, Rooney will be part of the United squad who take on Olympiacos FC on 25 February in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.