Manchester United all time goalscorer, Wayne Rooney and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has been into the English Premier League Hall of Fame.
The addition of this two premier league greats makes the pair the ninth and tenth members of the Premier League Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Roy Keane, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard, Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry as inductees.
Rooney is the second highest goal scorer in Premier League history behind Alan Shearer with 208 goals for Everton and Manchester United, and he’s currently the manager of Derby County. Speaking about the induction, the 36-year-old said: “It’s a huge achievement to be among the members of the Premier League Hall of Fame, together with an exciting set of players who have already been inducted.
“When I was a kid, I have always dreamt of having a great football career in the Premier League. I was opportuned to score alot of goals and lucky enough to win the Premier League five times at Manchester United.
“Looking at everything that I achieved during my playing days at Manchester United and Everton, I’m more than excited to be part of the Premier League greats.”
Patrick Vieira made 307 appearances in the Premier League, winning three league titles and was the captain of the Arsenal Invincibles side, the only side to win the league without a defeat. The now Crystal Palace manager who ended his career at Manchester City was excited to be recognised.
When the announcement was made, the French World Cup winner said: “ When I got the news, I thought about how i started my career as young boy from Senegal playing in the suburb of Paris, to be recognised and inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame is a big honour for me.
“This honour shows that my dedication and hard work during my playing days in the premier league paid off. For my name to be called alongside those great players makes me proud.”
The English Premier League Hall of Fame merit the great players who have blessed the league with their talents since its inception in 1992.
A 25-man list of former premier league players has been put up of which a public vote that’s set to begin on Thursday will be used to pick another six ex-players that will join Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira as part of the 2022 inductees.
