Rooney, Vieira inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Manchester United veteran Wayne Rooney and Arsenal's ex-captain Patrick Vieira entered the English Premier League Hall of Fame, the league confirmed on Wednesday.

"Rooney and Vieira are the first two inductees of 2022, with a public vote opening up later today to decide another six to join them from a shortlist of 25 former players," the Premier League said in a statement.

"It's a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted," Rooney said, adding that he dreamt to be a professional footballer, score goals, and win titles.

"I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United, and I'm really proud of what we achieved. To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me personally and I'm grateful to be recognised," Rooney added.

Everton product Rooney, 36, who spent the majority of his career at Manchester United (2004-2017), is the second-highest goalscorer in the league’s history. He scored 208 Premier League goals in 491 appearances.

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer still tops the list with 260 league goals.

The former England forward is currently managing second-tier championship division club Derby County.

Rooney is a five-time Premier League champion with Manchester United.

After leaving Manchester United in 2017, he played for Everton, US club DC United, and Derby County.

He retired from playing the game in 2021.

One of the strongest forwards in English football, Rooney was named the English Premier League player of the 2009-10 season.

- ‘Proud’ Vieira

Senegal-born French defensive midfielder Vieira said that entering the league's hall of fame is "a fantastic achievement".

"When I received the news, I thought about being a young boy playing in Senegal, or in a suburb of Paris.

"To be there with the best players in the Premier League, the best league in the world, is bigger than what I was ever thinking about. To have my name around those players makes me proud and makes me realise how good I was," the 45-year-old said.

He added that he was "lucky" to play alongside many legendary players at Arsenal including French star Thierry Henry and Dutch forward Dennis Bergkamp.

Henry and Bergkamp were the 2021 Premier League Hall of Fame inductees.

France's Vieira was one of the integral parts of Arsenal midfield in 1996-2005.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000 winner helped Arsenal win three league titles.

In addition to Arsenal, he played one and a half seasons for another Premier League club Manchester City in 2010-2011.

Vieira, 45, scored 31 goals in 307 Premier League matches.

He was honored with the player of the 2000-01 season award when he was playing for the Gunners.

In 2011, Vieira quit playing football, and now he is the manager of England's Crystal Palace.

The Premier League Hall of Fame is the most prestigious individual award given to players to honor their records and performances on the pitch, as well as their contribution to the Premier League, since 1992.