Happy birthday, Wayne... 27 years old

Wayne Rooney celebrates his 27th birthday today. Rooney introduced himself to the world of football just over 10 years ago with that goal for Everton against Arsenal. Since then, he has joined Manchester United and represented his country England 78 times.

He is married with a child.

Here wishing him the very best in his career and life.

Where it all began: Teenager Rooney made his Everton debut against Tottenham, featuring Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp, in 2002

Driving force: Rooney posing with his new Ford Sport KA car at Goodison after passing his driving test in 2003

Rooney made his England debut against Australia in 2003 at Upton Park

Rooney won England's penalty against France but the Three Lions went on to lose their Euro 2004 opening game in Portugal

On the move: Young Man United supporter Joe Ruane got his wish when Sir Alex Ferguson signed Rooney in 2004

Euro star: Rooney takes on Benfica in the Champions League for United in 2005

 Touch of class: Rooney in action against Chelsea six years ago in 2006

 Seeing red: Rooney's temper got the better of him as he was sent off in England World Cup exit to Portugal in 2006

 Up for the fight: In 2007 Rooney battles Carlos Tevez, a player he'd later enjoy a fruitful partnership with at Old Trafford

 

Silver lining: Rooney celebrates winning the Premier League with Rio Ferdinand in 2008

Singing in the rain: Rooney celebrates after winning the Champions League final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow against Chelsea in 2008

Daddy's boy: Rooney and his wife Coleen (2nd L) leave Liverpool Women's Hospital in 2009 after the birth of his first-born son Kai

 

Rooney lies in agony at the Allianz Arena after suffering an injury against Bayern Munich that threatened to rule him out of the 2010 World Cup

Rooney is consoled by Miroslav Klose after England's World Cup elimination to Germany in 2010

 

Head over heels: Rooney scored the goal of the season with his incredible overhead kick against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in 2011

In 2012, Rooney was handed the England armband for the first time in a competitive game against SanMarino and captained Manchester United in their 3-2 Champions League win over Braga (above)