John Rooney (footballer)

John Rooney was born in Liverpool, Merseyside to Thomas Wayne and Jeanette Maria Rooney (née Morrey). He is of Irish descent and was brought up in Croxteth with older brothers Graeme and Wayne; all three attended Our Lady and St Smithin's primary school and the De La Salle Humanities College.

Everton

John Rooney started at the Everton Youth Academy at the age of six.

Macclesfield Town

After being released by Everton, Rooney moved to Macclesfield Town in 2002, where he signed professional terms on 14 July 2008, 4 months after his professional debut against Barnet on 24 March 2008. His first ever career goal came against Dagenham & Redbridge in a 2–1 loss on 28 March 2009. Rooney's Macclesfield contract expired at the end of the 2009–10 season (after refusing to sign a new contract).

New York Red Bulls

After trials with Derby County and Huddersfield Town were unsuccessful Rooney went to Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers on trial to enter the next Major League Soccer Draft. Rooney signed with Major League Soccer on 28 December 2010 and played at the 2011 MLS Combine in Florida.

On 13 January 2011, Rooney was selected in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by New York Red Bulls. He made his debut for the club on 16 April 2011 as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena. On 28 June 2011 in his first start for New York, Rooney scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 victory over FC New York in the US Open Cup.

Orlando City

Rooney was waived by New York on 23 November 2011 and he signed with USL Pro club Orlando City on 26 January 2012. On 25 February 2012, in his debut, Rooney scored his first goal with the club against Toronto FC in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic in a 2–2 draw. On 15 April 2012, Rooney scored two goals and assisted a goal in a 4–1 win against the Wilmington Hammerheads. On 22 May, Rooney again scored two goals in the second round of the US Open Cup in a 7–0 trashing of KC Athletics. On 27 July 2012, Orlando City won the 2012 Regular season title after they defeated the Charleston Battery 4–0 (with 3 games remaining in the season), as a result, John Rooney won his first championship in his career. One day later, John Rooney was featured in Orlando City's international friendly match against Stoke City, coming on as a substitute for Rodrigo López in the 69th minute in a 1–0 loss. Rooney finished the season with 13 appearances and 5 goals as Orlando were eliminated in the Semi-final of the Playoffs to the Wilmington Hammerheads.

Barnsley

After leaving Orlando City, Rooney was offered a contract by English club Barnsley in October 2012. He signed a contract with the club on 25 October 2012. He was released at the end of the season.

Bury

On 10 July 2013, Bury announced they had signed Rooney on a twelve-month contract.

Chester

He was loaned to Conference Premier side Chester until January 2014. He made four appearances and scored once. In January 2014, the transfer was permanent as he signed a contract keeping him until the end of 2014–15 season.

Wrexham

On 7 June 2016, Rooney signed a one-year deal with Wrexham. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, in a 0–0 draw with Dover Athletic, scoring his first goal for the club in their following match, converting a penalty during a 3–2 victory over Guiseley.

In February 2017, Rooney joined Guiseley on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 season after being unable to agree terms over a contract dispute. Following his return to Wrexham at the end of the season, Rooney was one of several players who were not offered new deals.

He is the younger brother of Everton forward and former England captain Wayne Rooney.

His cousin, Tommy Rooney, also played for Macclesfield Town in the 2004–05 Football League Two.

As of match played 18 March 2017.