It may only be a Europa League third-round qualifier, but boyhood Evertonian Rooney, who left the club in 2004 three years before their return to continental competition, is relishing the occasion.

"Something I always wanted to do was play in Europe with Everton," said the Toffees academy graduate, who has impressed in two pre-season friendlies against Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, in which he scored, and the 1-1 draw at KRC Genk on Saturday.

"I was a bit disappointed not to do that before but now I’ll have a chance. Obviously I won the trophy last year so I’m hoping as a club we can go far and, you never know, try to win it. It would be even better.

"The first game back will be an emotional day for me and I’m looking forward to it. Overall, I’m looking forward to the season, hopefully getting back playing regularly and trying to help this club move forward."

Rooney briefly returned to Goodison for Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial in 2015 but his last appearance on his ’home’ ground for Everton was against Bolton in May 2004.

"You always get that feeling when you’re walking out the tunnel so to actually do it again in an Everton shirt will be a special moment for me," he told evertonfc.com.

"It’s always been a special place to come and play, even when I’ve been on the opposing side.

"It’s been a positive start back here. It’s great that we got so many players in early as we’ve been able to work together for nearly a month before the first game, get to know each other and how everyone plays.

"It’s great to see and great to be a part of."

To celebrate reaching 15 million followers I'm giving away one of my signed @Everton shirts. Just RT to have a chance of winning 👍🏼🔵 pic.twitter.com/8qvhFU3C1c

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 20, 2017