Davy Klaassen impressed with Wayne Rooney's hunger to succeed since returning to boyhood club Everton

  • Everton comfortably beat Twente 3-0 in De Lutte on Wednesday night
  • New signing Davy Klaassen enjoyed playing alongside Wayne Rooney 
  • Rooney recently return to Everton after 13 years at Manchester United
  • MATCH REPORT: Ronald Koeman's side cruise past Dutch club Twente 

Davy Klaassen has given an insight into Wayne Rooney's return to Everton and revealed his burning ambition to be a success.

For all the huge sums that have been invested this summer, the former England captain's return to Goodison Park is a transfer which will not be beaten for sentiment; Rooney is overjoyed to be back where it all started for him.

Rooney made a point of emphasising at the press conference to unveil him that he had not come back to 'a retirement home' and his attitude in training has struck a chord with his new team-mates, not least Klaassen.

Wayne Rooney has impressed Davy Klaassen since returning to boyhood club Everton

Wayne Rooney has impressed Davy Klaassen since returning to boyhood club Everton

The Holland international has only just arrived on Merseyside following a £25million move from Ajax and it was noticeable how he looked to link with Rooney every time he got the ball when the pair came on as substitutes in the 3-0 friendly win over FC Twente.


Though Rooney could not match the impact he made with a spectacular goal in Tanzania last week, his movement was sharp and his attitude was exemplary and Klaassen is adamant the 31-year-old will continue to perform at the highest level.

'It is great to combine with Wayne,' said Klaassen, whose family were in the crowd for the game in De Lutte on Wednesday night. 'He is a quick thinker and I like that. He looks for me when I make my runs into the area.

Klaassen believes Rooney is still a 'world class striker' despite leaving Manchester United

Klaassen believes Rooney is still a 'world class striker' despite leaving Manchester United

'Did he know me? I think he did! He played against Ajax in the Europa League final in May. He knew quite a bit about Ajax.

'Also, it's not as if I am a young boy who has only just joined on to the big stage. I played plenty of matches for Ajax and won league titles. It's nice he knows that.

'It is not all that difficult to combine with Wayne. He is a world class striker who has joined us and is playing in front of me. I thought that it was great he came to play for Everton. I was delighted when I heard the news that he was coming back.

Rooney returned to Goodison Park this summer after 13 seasons with the Red Devils

Rooney returned to Goodison Park this summer after 13 seasons with the Red Devils

'But he isn't coming back to wind it down or take it easy. You can see it in him - he is really fit still. He is hungry on the pitch and he wants to be at a club with a big ambition. He came here for the reasons I did, to be successful.' 

Given all the business Everton have done this season - and with the promise of at least two more signings to come, one of which is expected to be Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson - Klaassen's recruitment from Ajax, where he had been captain, almost went under the radar.

He was, though, a player whom Ronald Koeman was desperate to get on board. Klaassen was a potent force scoring goals from midfield in the Eredivise and while it may take him time to adjust to the Premier League, his initial view of life in England could not be more positive.

Everton comfortably beat Dutch club Twente in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night

Everton comfortably beat Dutch club Twente in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night

'Everything I am experiencing is bigger,' said Klaasen. 'This is a very professional club. I have settled already. Life is great in England but even if it wasn't, it wouldn't matter. I have come here for the football and to be successful.

'I am finding my way around. I have almost found the house that I like and I am looking again this weekend. I cannot wait to live in my new area and I cannot wait for the Premier League season to start.' 

Klaassen is expected to start Everton's next friendly in Genk on Saturday, while that fixture is also likely to see new goalkeeper Jordan Pickford get his first minutes between the posts as Koeman makes plans for their Europa League qualifier next Thursday. 

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