Supermarket Asda to sign Rooney for GBP 3 million

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English national team player and Premiere League Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is close to agreeing on a GBP 3 million sponsorship deal with British supermarket brand Asda. The 20-year-old and his fiancée, Colleen McLoughlin, would star in advertisements for the company.

Rooney’s signing would mark the second big-name sponsor for Asda, which earlier signed English national team cricket player Andrew Flintoff to endorse its George clothing line last month. Three other major stores were reportedly going after Rooney.

The supermarket rolled out its first ever TV advertising campaign for milk last month, which is designed to promote its cut-price milk. The advertisements will also include national press activity.

It’s the second large sponsorship deal Rooney has agreed to in the last month. Earlier, Rooney signed the biggest sports book deal in publishing history hwen he agreed to a 12-year, five-book contract with Harper Collins for GBP 5 million plus royalties. Rooney's first book – an autobiography that will include his experience at this summer’s World Cup – is scheduled for release at the end of July 2006.