Wayne Rooney progressed through the Academy ranks and went from schoolboy to superstar in just 12 months.

The Croxteth-born striker, weighed in with eight goals in as many games during the Blues' FA Youth Cup run in 2002 and was an unused substitute when Everton defeated Southampton 1-0 in April of that year, receiving a tremendous ovation from the Blues' fans as he warmed up that day - an indication of his high regard.

He made his debut on the opening day of the 2002/03 campaign against Tottenham at Goodison, and then became Everton's youngest ever goalscorer when he netted against Wrexham in the Worthington Cup.

His first Premier League strike will never be forgotten - a dipping 25-yard shot against Arsenal at Goodison on October 19, 2002, five days before his 17th birthday!

Wayne became the youngest-ever England international in February 2003 when he came on as a substitute against Australia at Upton Park.

He then became the youngest player to ever score for the Three Lions with a goal against Macedonia in September 2003 at the tender age of 17 years and 317 days.

In August 2004, Manchester United paid £30 million - a world record fee for a teenager - to acquire his service and, since then, have won the Premier League four times, the 2007/08 Champions League and two League Cups.

In 2010, Wayne was named both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year.