Kai Rooney signs Manchester United scholarship as Puma boot ban lifts at 16

Kai Rooney has signed a scholarship agreement with Manchester United, marking a significant step in the 16-year-old’s development at the club where his father became a legend. The deal also brings an end to United’s academy rule banning sponsored footwear for players in the Under-16s and below.

Coleen Rooney commented on a photo posted to United’s official Instagram account showing the club’s first-year scholars signing their agreements, writing: “Brilliant boys.” Wayne Rooney posted a story of his son with the message: “Proud of you.”

Kai has been part of United’s academy since the age of 11 and signed a sponsorship deal with Puma back in 2022 when he was 12. Under the club’s policy, all players at Under-16 level and below must wear identical boots regardless of personal sponsorship arrangements — a rule Wayne has spoken about approvingly.

“He’s obviously with Puma but when he plays for the Manchester United U16s, something which I really like is he can’t wear his Puma boots,” Wayne said earlier this year. “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.”

Now that Kai has turned 16 before the August 31 cut-off, he is no longer eligible for the Under-16s and will move permanently into the Under-18s age group, where the boot restriction does not apply. He made six appearances for the U18s last season, including a debut at 15 in a 1-0 win over Everton last August.

His campaign was cut short in March by a season-ending injury that ruled him out of United’s FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City, a match the Red Devils lost 2-1. The scholarship he has now signed allows young players to continue their education alongside their football development, with the option to sign a professional contract when they turn 17.