Wayne Rooney 'unaware' of Everton deal details

Wayne Rooney signed his first professional contract with Everton without having it fully explained by his agent, a court heard.

The former trainee signed his first professional deal with the club after turning 17, in January 2003.

But agent Paul Stretford did not explain the documents he was signing, Manchester Mercantile Court heard.

Mr Stretford, Rooney and his wife, Coleen, are being sued for £4.3m by sports management firm Proactive.

The company claims it is still entitled to commission payments under the terms of a contract signed by the agent while he was still a director.

Mr Stretford, who quit in acrimonious circumstances in October 2008, has arranged contracts for Rooney since the star forward was a teenager.

On Wednesday, he was quizzed by Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive, about the football contracts, transfer payments, and earnings from image rights and sponsorships, signed by Rooney with Proactive after he turned 17.

Mr Mill said: "You accept responsibility for the football documents, but you did not take the opportunity to explain to Mr Rooney (senior) or his son, what documents were being signed or what their effects would be?"

"No I did not," Mr Stretford replied.

"Absolutely extraordinary, what on earth do you think you were doing?"

'Not standard'

Mr Stretford said there were "countless negotiations" and not the time to go through every single clause in every document.

Many football contracts were "standard" and he would simply, "take them on their merit", he added.

"Not standard to a 17-year-old boy and his father who has had nothing to do with football," Mr Mill replied.

"I suggest to you this evidence gives you no credit whatsoever."

Wayne Rooney, his mother, father and wife are scheduled to give evidence on Friday.

The case continues.

From BBC