Kai Rooney signs Manchester United scholarship as boot ban lifted at 16

Kai Rooney has signed a scholarship with Manchester United, marking a significant step in the teenager’s development at the club where his father became a legend. The 16-year-old, who joined United’s academy at the age of 11, put pen to paper alongside the club’s other first-year scholars.

Coleen Rooney commented on the official Manchester United Instagram post documenting the signings, writing “Brilliant boys” alongside a series of celebratory emojis. Wayne Rooney shared a story featuring his son with the caption “Proud of you.”

The scholarship also brings a practical change for Kai: United’s policy prohibits players in the Under-16s and younger age groups from wearing sponsored boots, requiring all academy players at that level to wear identical footwear. Having turned 16 before the August 31 age-group cutoff, Kai now permanently steps up to the Under-18s, where the restriction no longer applies. He signed a sponsorship deal with Puma back in 2022 at the age of 12.

Wayne Rooney explained the boot policy in a previous interview, saying: “All the academy have to wear the same boots. They do it because there’s people from areas where they can’t afford certain boots, so I think it’s really good.”

Kai made six appearances for United’s Under-18s last season, having made his debut at that level aged 15 in a 1-0 win against Everton in August. His campaign was cut short in March by a season-ending injury that ruled him out of the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City, which United lost 2-1.

A scholarship arrangement allows young players to continue their education while pursuing a professional football career, with the option to sign a full professional contract upon turning 17.