Wayne Rooney is returning to English football with Derby

Former England captain Wayne Rooney is to join Derby County as a player-coach.

He will link up with the Rams as a player-coach in January 2020 on an initial 18-month contract after he sees out the 2019 MLS season with DC United.

News of Derby's interest in Rooney emerged shortly before they opened their new Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory away at Huddersfield on Monday night.

Pictures appeared on social media on Tuesday morning of the former Everton and Manchester United striker at Heathrow airport having flown in from Washington DC.

"It's literally only been a couple of days in the offing," Derby owner Mel Morris told Talksport. "The starting point was that we understood he was keen to return to the UK and we decided to see if we could do something off the back of that."

Following the win at Huddersfield, Derby boss Phillip Cocu – who replaced Frank Lampard this summer – was asked about the reports linking the Rams with Rooney but he was coy in his replies.

Morris confirmed Cocu has spoken with Rooney and described those talks as "critical" to the deal becoming a possibility.

"The key thing for me is the conversation he had with Phillip Cocu, which was absolutely critical to the interest that Wayne has," he said.

"From my side of it, why wouldn't you want a player with his career and background? His achievements are absolutely phenomenal."

Cocu told the club's official website: "Wayne Rooney is an extremely talented and top-class footballer. It is an exciting prospect for him to be joining Derby County and he can bring so much to this squad, both on and off the pitch.

"He has enjoyed a wonderful career, both in club football and for England, and he still has so much to give as well."

Cocu continued: "His credentials speak for themselves. But to have a player with his leadership, skill, experience, character and work ethic will be huge for us. He knows what it takes to succeed as a player and I have no doubt he will have a positive impact right across the club.

"The inspiration and motivation this can generate is massive for all of our players, from the first team right through to the youngsters in the academy. It is entirely in keeping with, and in support of, the club's philosophy and approach.

"I am looking forward to working with Wayne from the start of next year and welcoming him to the club."

Rooney joined DC United last summer on a three-and-a-half-year contract after one season back at his boyhood club Everton, where he started his glittering career.

Bringing in a player of Rooney's stature has raised questions about the cost of the deal and the wages he might be paid, but Morris allayed any Financial Fair Play fears.

He said: "We've maintained all along that we want to be compliant with FFP and I don't see anything in this deal that would change that."

Rooney is England's all-time record scorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, as well as Manchester United's record goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances.