Wayne and Coleen Rooney have expressed their joy after their son, Kai Rooney, signed a scholarship agreement with Manchester United, ending the club's ban on his sponsored football boots. The 16-year-old, who has been part of United's youth system since the age of 11, will now progress to the Under-18s side, where he will be permitted to wear his Puma boots.
Under Manchester United's club rules, players in the Under-16s or below are required to wear identical boots to ensure equality, preventing those from less affluent backgrounds from feeling disadvantaged. However, once players move to the Under-18s, they are allowed to wear sponsored footwear. Kai, who signed a sponsorship deal with Puma in 2022 at the age of 12, has now aged out of the Under-16s and can wear his branded boots.
Coleen Rooney commented on a Manchester United Instagram post showing the new scholars, writing: “Brilliant boys” alongside emojis of a fire, a loveheart, and clapping hands. Wayne Rooney shared a story of his son with the message: “Proud of you,” accompanied by a loveheart and a pen-signing emoji.
Kai made six appearances for the Under-18s last season, debuting at that level at 15 in a 1-0 victory over Everton last August. However, a season-ending injury in March ruled him out of the FA Youth Cup final, which United lost 2-1 to Manchester City. Wayne Rooney previously praised the club’s policy on boots, stating that it fosters fairness among young players.
