Derby to ‘give Wayne Rooney strict regime’ to make sure he is ready for Championship action in January
* Wayne Rooney will have a strict fitness regime before he plays for Derby County
* The England legend will officially join the Rams as a player-coach in January
* Rooney has left DC United after a successful two years at the American club
* The striker is set to become the highest paid player in the Championship
Wayne Rooney will be ordered to complete a full pre-season before he can play for Derby County in January.
The Manchester United and England legend will join Derby County as a player-coach in January, but the club will make him follow a 'strict' pre-season regime before he will be allowed to play for the East Midlands club, according to the Mirror.
The striker's time in America has come to an end after his DC United side were thumped 5-1 in the MLS play-offs.
Wayne Rooney will follow a strict fitness regime after leaving DC United to join Derby County
The 33-year-old will officially join Phillip Cocu's Derby County as a player-coach in January
Despite the disappointing defeat in his final game for DC, the 33-year-old enjoyed a succesful spell in America scoring 25 goals and 15 assists in 52 appearances.
Rooney is currently on a break after playing a full season for the American club, but will reportedly have to work on his fitness over Christmas so that he is ready for Championship action.
Rooney has signed for the Rams on an initial 18-month contract until the summer of 2021, with the option of a further year.
The deal will see Rooney become the highest earning player in the Championship after agreeing a £100,000 a week deal, funded in part by a record sponsorship deal with betting company 32Red.
Phillip Cocu's Derby County currently sit 15th in the Championship table following Saturday's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Charlton means the promotion hopefuls have won just three of their 12 league games this season.
Rooney is offically cleared to play Derby from January 1, meaning he could make his debut for the club against Barnsley on New Years Day.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7596747/Derby-Wayne-Rooney-strict-regime-make-sure-ready-Championship-January.html