Wayne Rooney‘s surprise return to English football as a player-coach at Derby will shift attention to his post-playing future but the former England captain insists he still has plenty to offer on the pitch first.

Rooney will cut short his 18-month American adventure with DC United at the end of the MLS season to join Derby in January 2020.

The 33-year-old’s player-coach status will allow him to build his credentials as a future manager under the tutelage of Phillip Cocu, but Rooney believes he can help fire the Rams into the Premier League on the pitch too.

“First and foremost I’m a player and that’s what my main focus is on,” said Rooney, who has agreed an 18-month deal with an option for a further season.

“As Phillip says, it’s about learning that (coaching) role, but I’m coming here to play and help the team and hopefully push for promotion.

“Being out of the country for a short period of time, you want to come back and prove yourself again. That’s my sole focus at the minute.”