​Derby County have released footage of Wayne Rooney's first training session with the club after the forward agreed to take on a player-coach role at Pride Park.


The 34-year-old had been representing Major League Soccer side DC United since the summer of 2018, but was released from his contract ahead of time, allowing him to sign an 18-month deal with Derby. However, he will have to wait until January for his Rams debut as he is currently unable to register as a player with the English Football League.

Despite his ineligibility, Rooney will be in the dugout for Saturday's ​Championship clash with ​Queens Park Rangers in the Midlands, with ​Derby in 14th position in the table after a testing start to the campaign.


The Rams posted a video on their official ​Instagram account of the England centurion getting to grips with club facilities as the squad continued preparations for the meeting with QPR.


Speaking to Derby's ​social media team, Rooney said of his transfer: "It's obviously a challenge, of course. A new club, a new league which I haven't played in before. I have watched the Championship my whole career so I know what to expect in that aspect. 


"It's great to be back in the dressing room, back around the banter amongst the lads. It will be a good month in terms of getting to know the players and trying to have some sort of input."

FBL-USA-ENG-DERBY-ROONEY

Rams boss Phillip Cocu has clarified what Rooney's role will involve, explaining to the ​Derby Telegraph: "He will be with us on the bench [at QPR], so he can get involved in the team tactics. We can use and benefit from his experience as a player. 


"He gets to know the way we want to play and how we want to work, and also, as a player, he will be an important part in the link up between the coaches, the game-plan and the players."

For more from Ed Alexander, follow him on Twitter