ADAM ROONEY WILL have a new club for the 2018-19 season after opting to swap the Scottish Premiership for the fifth tier of football in England.
Vanarama National League outfit Salford City today announced the signing of the 30-year-old Irish striker from Aberdeen for an undisclosed fee.
Salford City have ambitions of breaking into the Football League, having taken a significant step on that journey by winning the National League North last season.
The Ammies are under the control of Valencia owner Peter Lim and former Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Phil Neville.
The club — who also signed ex-Limerick striker Rory Gaffney from Bristol Rovers this summer — described the capture of Rooney as “a further indication, if any was needed, that the Ammies mean business” ahead of the start of their season against Leyton Orient on 4 August.
Rooney joined Aberdeen from Oldham Athletic in January 2014. He went on to become a fan favourite at Pittodrie, finishing each of his four full seasons at the club as their leading goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership. He netted 88 times in 197 appearances.
The Dubliner, who has also had spells at the likes of Stoke City and Birmingham City, previously featured in the Republic of Ireland squad but has never been capped at senior level.
“It wasn’t easy, but I just felt my time was coming to an end here and the opportunity came up at Salford,” Rooney told Aberdeen’s official website. “I spoke to my family about it and I felt it would be a good opportunity for something new.
“I wasn’t keen to go somewhere else in Scotland and the move [to Salford] is something I’m really looking forward to taking part in and hopefully making a name for myself there.”
He added: “The plans and ambition Salford have really intrigues me and where they want to take it. But the other side of that is actually having to leave here.
“I certainly wasn’t booted out the door. Unfortunately in football you feel your time comes to an end at certain periods in your career and you have to move on and we felt it was the right time for everyone.”
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes, whose side are preparing for a Europa League second qualifying round clash with Burnley next Thursday, said: “We wish Adam all the very best with his new venture and it is always with a heavy heart when you lose a good player who is also a really good person.
“Since I signed Adam four and a half years ago, he has given us nothing but good value and has been a fantastic boy to work with.”
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No you’re the Crystal Palace of Merseyside
@Nucky: in that Liverpool have won more games, scored more goals and conceded less than palace is it?
@Mick Power: you’ve won one more game then palace so far this month and both of you got spanked by city
@Nucky: didn’t realise it goes by the month, the premier league have the wrong table up.
@Nucky: First English team to ever complete the Historic treble in 1984 league cup, league title, european cup. 5 times winner’s and retainers you’ll never sing that.OUCHHHH ACERS girlygirl xx
@Mrs. Nugent: I do hope there’s a cure for what you have. You strange little boy
@Mrs. Nugent: poor Marcus but you’ll never be the first English team to win the European cup or win the ‘clean sweep ‘of all trophies available to clubs.
@Johnny Bravo: that was Chelsea
@Johnny Bravo: first team with the clean sweep that is
@Johnny Bravo: its great knowing its eating you up. 1984 : original treble completed by the Pool. First done by us. Haahhah OUCHHHH ACERS girlygirl xx
@Philip Mc dermott: The clean sweep includes the Intercontinental cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea nor any other English team have won them.
@Mrs. Nugent: dream on petal x
@Johnny Bravo: 5 TIMESSSSS YOU’LL NEVER EVER EVER EVER SING THAT OUCHHHHH ACERS girlygirl xx European cup for keepies baby girl pop down to Merseyside if you ever want to see the real deal. It lives there permanently. Hahaahahahahahahaahaa poor darling xx
@Johnny Bravo: Liverpool have won as many Super cups as the Mancs have won European cups you mug, we have double the Europeans titles. And that is a FACT my sweet little potatoe !!
@Johnny Bravo: sorry i thought you meant actual trophies played over months not one off games.
@Mrs. Nugent: you’ve never won them all angry boy and never will. I’m so glad you have a silly song about the past to sing cause you don’t have one about the future. BTW what time is it ? 5 past mingolet?? Blahahahaha Ciao jealous ladyboy …
@Mrs. Nugent: It happened 5 times …..it happened 5 times …….at the Etihad Stadium …..it’s happened 5 times
There ya go ya big girls blouse
Need to get some real defenders so, sharpish!!
Beginning to believe that mignolet is a good keeper doesn’t help that defence changes every game
@Trevor Carpenter: Drunk already on a Sunday lad?
@Trevor Carpenter: Delusional!
@Trevor Carpenter: valid intelligent comment imo
More like the RodneyTrotters !
Surely Klopp would love a winning record that came close to that of the Harlem Globetrotters
Damn right your not!! they always won