Everton star Wayne Rooney pays tribute to Freddy Shepherd

Everton star Wayne Rooney has paid tribute to former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd who passed away on Tuesday referring to him as a “great friend”.

After bursting onto the scene with Everton as a teenager in 2003, the Magpies submitted a £20 million offer for the young Rooney in 2004 only to be beaten by Manchester United.

The offer from the Magpies was largely viewed as a publicity stunt, however Rooney himself has confirmed that he was interested by saying, “If no-one else had come in I would have gone to Newcastle . I would have gone almost anywhere just to get away from David Moyes.”

Rooney is also represented by Triple S Sports and Entertainment group, whom Shepherd served as chairman for after his time with Newcastle came to an end.

Rooney took to Twitter to express his condolences following the passing of Shepherd and wrote, “Devastated to hear the sad news that Freddy Shepherd has passed away. A great friend who will be sadly missed. Thoughts with all his family.”