Former Wildcats and England international Rooney signs for Whitehaven

The 32-year-old, who played 150 games for Wakefield in a seven-year stay at the club, has signed for the Co-operative Championship 1 club for the rest of the season after leaving South Wales Scorpions by mutual consent.

Rooney enjoyed the best days of his playing career in the red, white and blue and was rewarded with four international call-ups for England during his time at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

He also suffered a heart scare while undergoing routine knee surgery - Rooney revealed his heart stopped for 30 seconds during the procedure.

He moved on to play for Barrow Raiders after his time with Wakefield and captained the Cumbrians before leaving at the end of last season to join French club Limoux Grizzlies for the 2011-12 Elite One Championship.

A move to South Wales Scorpions was short-lived and Rooney, who’s also played for hometown club Featherstone Rovers and Castleford Tigers, will now turn his attentions to helping Whitehaven’s quest for promotion this season.

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