WAYNE Rooney will quit playing football abroad when his current contract in the US expires.

The former England captain’s decision was sparked by long-suffering wife Coleen’s desire to return to the UK next year almost 12 months before his deal with DC United ends.

7 Footie ace Wayne Rooney will quit playing football abroad after his DC United contract expires Credit: Splash News

7 The decision was sparked by the desire of wife Coleen to return to the UK as she wants her family in 'familiar surroundings' Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke

It comes after we revealed last week he dashed back to the UK to see Coleen, who had returned with their four kids for the summer, for talks about their future.

A source said: “This is seen as a major win for Coleen. She’s put her foot down and told Wayne she wants their children to grow up in familiar surroundings in the UK and get them settled in local schools.

“And since she’s got her wish, Coleen’s the happiest she’s been for years. It signals a new exciting era for the family.”

Coleen was all smiles as she enjoyed a dinner date with eight girl pals at The Ivy in Manchester on Saturday after Wayne returned to the States.

7 Coleen (centre) sported a bardot style mini dress as she went with pals to The Ivy in Manchester Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke

She has been desperately unhappy in Washington DC since former Everton and Manchester United superstar Wayne signed to play there in June last year.

Her social circle is tiny and his travelling for away fixtures means she spends a huge amount of time alone while the kids are at an international school.

Pal says she is so disillusioned, she will start the process of moving the family back to the Scouse couple’s new £1.45million dream home in Cheshire in September next year.

And she hopes her four boys, Kai, nine, Klay, six, Kit, three, and 17-month-old Cass, will be enrolled in schools for the start of term in January 2021 — ten months before Wayne’s contract is due to expire.

7 Friends said: 'Coleen’s the happiest she’s been for years' Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke

It is likely England’s record goalscorer, 33, will move into coaching rather than join a new club as a player. He aims to complete his qualifications while in the US.

The source said: “Coleen knows she’ll be leaving Wayne alone in the US for some time but hopes he’ll just be focusing on football and preparing for life after football by getting his coaching badges.”

Wayne has excelled on the pitch there but his off-field behaviour has contributed to Coleen’s unhappiness there. He was arrested in January after being drunk on a flight back from the US.

Just weeks later, he was caught boozing with barmaid Vicki Rosiek during a night out with teammates in Florida.

7 Wayne aims to spend his remaining time in the US completing his coaching badges — while Coleen takes care of the kids in the UK Credit: Refer to Caption

Coleen, also 33, took off her wedding ring after telling pals he had started to act like a “sullen teenager”.

She ordered Wayne to seek help for his drinking and gave him a strict set of rules to get their marriage back on track.

His last-minute decision to fly back to the UK last week to be with his family was a major turning point.

He was on a plane hours after DC United boss Ben Olsen agreed to let him return for a “physical and mental break”.

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A source added: “For Coleen, Wayne coming home was proof of how much the family means to him and how he’s putting her happiness first.”

Wayne returned to the US after just three days back in the UK and played in a 0-0 draw at Chicago Fire yesterday.

Speaking last November, he said: “Coaching is something I’m passionate about and I want to do. Hopefully, by the time I come back to England, I’ll have my badges completed and be in a position to accept or reject any offers I get.”

7 The pair got married back in 2008 Credit: Refer to Caption

7 The couple have four children together

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