Wayne Rooney and Everton prepare for historic Gor Mahia friendly in Tanzania with training session
- Wayne Rooney returned to Everton after a 13-year absence at the weekend
- They will become the first Premier League side to play in Tanzania on Thursday
- Rooney will wear an Everton shirt in a game for the first time since May 2004
- The Everton players took part in a series of drills during the training session
Wayne Rooney has been lucky enough to travel the world in his ultra-successful football career.
From Champions League finals to pre-season tours while with Manchester United, the former England captain has been and played football nearly everywhere on the planet.
But on Wednesday he trained with his team-mates as they prepare to play a part in a landmark moment for Everton, the Premier League and Tanzania.
Wayne Rooney joined his Everton team-mates for a training session in Tanzania
The former Manchester United man made an emotional return to the Toffees at the weekend
Rooney looked in good spirits as his side prepared for their first pre-season friendly
Despite having a population of almost 52 million people, Tanzania has never hosted a match involving a Premier League side - something that will change on Thursday when Everton take on Gor Mahia.
And the Goodison Park club's players seemed to be in fine spirits as they held a training session in Dar Es Salaam.
Rooney, recently returned to his boyhood club after 13 years at United, was clearly having a good time as he took part in a number of drills.
He could be seen taking part in a passing game and chasing after the ball to win it back from a team-mate as part of the session.
The Everton players took part in a drill involving short passes and Rooney chasing
He worked with Aaron Lennon (centre) during a passing drill in Dar es Salaam
It will be the first time Rooney has worn an Everton shirt for a match since the 5-1 defeat to Manchester City on May 15, 2004.
Aaron Lennon was also involved in the session after his leave of absence following his mental health scare in the second-half of last season.
Everton take on Gor Mahia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Thursday afternoon before facing Twente in their second pre-season game.
They then have matches against Genk and Sevilla before kicking off their Premier League season with a home game against Stoke City on August 12.
Rooney leads his team-mates onto the pitch at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium
Lennon dives for a pass played as Under 20s World Cup winner Ademola Lookman watches on
A shot of the stadium, which will host the historic friendly match on Thursday afternoon
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