Wayne Rooney finds a pub in Washington DC so he can watch England play in the World Cup

Wayne Rooney signed for Washington DC United leaving childhood club Everton
He followed fellow England stars Beckham and Lampard in signing for a US team
Despite the transfer, his thoughts were still on England has he sought out a pub
The England record goalscorer watched on as England slumped to a 1-0 defeat

Published: 01:25 BST, 29 June 2018 | Updated: 11:23 BST, 29 June 2018

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Wayne Rooney may have completed his big money move to Washington DC United yesterday, but clearly his thoughts were on England's crunch clash against Belgium.

The Three Lions record goalscorer, who captained his country 22 times, was quick to seek out the nearest pub to watch the final group G game last night.

Overjoyed football fans mobbed the star striker demanding selfies as he made his way to the big screen to watch the clash - where England slumped to a 1-0 defeat.

Wayne Rooney may have completed his big money move to Washington DC United yesterday, but clearly his thoughts were on England's crunch clash against Belgium. The Three Lions record goalscorer, who captained his country 22 times, was quick to seek out the nearest pub to watch the final group G game last night

Rooney, who has followed in the footsteps of fellow former England stars including David Beckham, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, to have made transatlantic moves towards the end of their career, donned a grey tracksuit for the outting, while draping a DC United scarf around his shoulders for fans.

Footage captured by a fan shows Rooney sat in a beer garden during the match, as supporters in England shirts took pictures with the star, while the former Manchester United and Everton forward even posed for a picture with a Liverpool fan.

Rooney finalised his move to the Major League Soccer club on Thursday, with the club marking the signing with a #NoWayneNoGain hashtag.

The former Manchester United forward will officially join the club when the MLS transfer window opens on July 10 but is expected to be unveiled on Monday. His debut is set to coincide with the opening of DC’s £140m new stadium, Audi Field.

Overjoyed football fans mobbed the star striker demanding selfies as he made his way to the big screen to watch the clash - where England slumped to a 1-0 defeat

The club wanted a marquee name to mark the occasion and they have broken their salary record to ensure Rooney’s capture.

‘It is fantastic to be joining DC United at such an exciting time in the club’s history with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks,’ Rooney said.

‘Moving to America and MLS fulfils another career ambition for me. I have the hunger to be a success here and will give DC 100 per cent — as I have always done for every team I have ever played for.

Rooney finalised his move to the Major League Soccer club on Thursday, with the club marking the signing with a #NoWayneNoGain hashtag

‘When I visited earlier this summer I was really impressed with everyone I met connected with the club, and of course the new Audi Field. Now I can’t wait to get on the pitch in a United shirt and join my new teammates to bring success to this club.’

Jason Levien, DC’s chief executive who also co-owns Swansea City, said: ‘This is a seminal moment for our fans and organisation. Wayne is a global soccer icon and his presence at DC United will elevate our product on the pitch and soccer as a whole in our city and in this country.

‘Wayne has thrived when competing at the most elite levels of soccer and we’re thrilled to have his leadership as we enter this new era at Audi Field.’

‘It is fantastic to be joining DC United at such an exciting time in the club’s history with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks,’ Rooney said

David Beckham, who joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, said: ‘It’s great for Wayne. I also think it’s great for the league.

‘I think it’s the right move for him. I think he’ll do really well. I think DC is the right club for him. I think it’s a great city for him to move with his family and enjoy the time that he’s going to be there.’

Rooney announced the news on Twitter by posting a picture of himself strapped into a plane seat giving the camera a thumbs-up, beneath emojis of an aeroplane and the US flag.

He leaves the Premier League as its second top scorer with 208 goals.