Everton striker Wayne Rooney has said that he will be achieving a lifelong ambition when he plays in the Europa League for the club this season.
The 31-year-old rejoined his boyhood team this summer following a trophy-laden and record-breaking spell at Manchester United, who he helped to the Europa League title last season to complete a clean sweep of trophies available to him at club level.
Everton will begin their European campaign against Slovakian side MFK Ruzomberok in a third-round qualifier on Thursday and, despite the less-than-glamorous opposition, Rooney is looking forward to his first competitive appearance since rejoining the Toffees.
"Something I always wanted to do was play in Europe with Everton. I was a bit disappointed not to do that before but now I'll have a chance. Obviously I won the trophy last year so I'm hoping as a club we can go far and, you never know, try to win it. It would be even better," he told the club's official website.
"The first game back will be an emotional day for me and I'm looking forward to it. Overall, I'm looking forward to the season, hopefully getting back playing regularly and trying to help this club move forward. You always get that feeling when you're walking out the tunnel so to actually do it again in an Everton shirt will be a special moment for me.
"It's always been a special place to come and play, even when I've been on the opposing side. It's been a positive start back here. It's great that we got so many players in early as we've been able to work together for nearly a month before the first game, get to know each other and how everyone plays. It's great to see and great to be a part of."
Rooney's last competitive appearance at Goodison Park as an Everton player came against Bolton Wanderers in May 2004.
Barney Corkhill
