Rooney's Coke deal
Wayne Rooney has become the latest sporting hero to be signed up by the food industry.
The 18-year-old soccer star is appearing in a TV campaign for Coca-Cola.
The Everton and England striker, already thought to be worth £ 20million, has signed a £500,000 deal with the soft drinks giant.
'I am excited to be working with Coca-Cola,' he said yesterday. 'It's great to work with a brand that shares my passion for football.'
Rooney is joined in the advert by his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin, 17, who earlier this month quit her A-level course for a part in soap opera Hollyoaks. In other scenes, due to be screened in May during the Euro 2004 Championships, he is seen kicking a football around the street.
His move will put him in direct competition with David Beckham, who is signed to Pepsi.
Rooney has already signed several lucrative sponsorship deals.
As part of the deal, Rooney will be actively involved in supporting Coca-Cola's schools programme. He will help encourage around 37,000 youngsters participating in an Under- 13s football tournament sponsored by the firm.
