Wayne Rooney will become the highest earning player in the Championship after agreeing a £100,000 a week deal with Derby County, funded in part by a record sponsorship deal with betting company 32Red.
England's all-time record goalscorer confirmed he will leave current club DC United in January and take the first steps towards a future career in management by becoming player coach under manager Phillip Cocu on an 18-month contract with the option of a further year.
It is a remarkable coup for Derby, particularly owner Mel Morris who was at pains to point out how Rooney's arrival would project his club's brand globally and open up commercial opportunities.
Such impact was immediate as, against a backdrop of questions about their ability to comply with financial fair play, Morris confirmed a lucrative new deal struck by club sponsors 32Red.
The club confirmed Rooney will be given the No 32 shirt when he arrives in the New Year.
'It's incredible. I can't imagine what this is going to do for ticket sales, even away games,' enthused Morris.
'This is clearly an exciting signing for us and Wayne's presence will further enhance the club's standing and its ability to perform both on and off the pitch.
'On the back of Wayne joining the club, we have just been offered a record-breaking sponsorship deal with our principal shirt sponsor 32Red.'
Rooney has a basic annual salary of £2.8million in the US and commercial revenue is understood to boost his earnings closer to £8m.
Yet the father of four's decision to return was not motivated by money with his young family yearning to return to the UK.
'There were a few factors. Family is everything to us and we make this change to be closer to the ones we love back in England,' admitted the 33-year-old who was given leave of absence by DC United coach Ben Olsen only last month to be with his family 'for a mental and physical break'.
'We've got four young boys and certainly for my oldest it is a crucial time in his schooling. It was important for me to look at that.'
Sensing he was open to curtailing his time in Washington, Derby had sent chief executive Stephen Pearce to the US to discuss a deal last week.
'The starting point was that we understood Wayne was keen to return to the UK, and of course we had a look at the situation to see if we could do something on the back of that,' said Morris.
'I think the key thing is the conversation he had with [manager] Phillip Cocu was absolutely critical to the interest Wayne has.'
Rooney's initial focus is to finish the MLS season with DC before hoping to end his playing career with a flourish at Pride Park. 'It would be disrespectful if I didn't finish the season with them (DC),' he said. 'That was always the plan. They have been fantastic with me.
'There were other clubs interested but I made my decision and I wasn't going to go back on it. Derby are a club with great ambitions.
'It wasn't just about coming home. The opportunity to come back to England and play, but also to take up a coaching role and work with Phillip, was too good to turn down.
'Firstly, I'm a player and feel I have a lot of quality to bring to the squad. But, secondly, I want to learn from Phillip and his staff to gain experience for when I take the next step.'
Always a keen student of influential figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis van Gaal, Rooney will gain a little help from the FA who intend to fly out to Washington next week and help fast-track him through his coaching badges so he is qualified by January.
'I started doing my coaching badges a few years ago now,' he said. 'But through my children I couldn't always find time to fit them in. The FA are flying out next Monday to continue them and, when I'm back in England, I'll have more time to fulfill the requirements. I will have them.'
Rooney had earlier arrived at Heathrow from Washington at 7am on Tuesday morning, before being driven to Derby's Moor Farm training ground where he arrived through a back entrance just before midday to finalise terms on his deal.
He will return to Washington on Wednesday ahead of training on Thursday in preparation for DC United's game with LA Galaxy on Sunday.
'I said before I love football. It's what I know. It's something which I want to do and if my body is still ready and able to do that then I will continue to do so.
'I always remember Alex Ferguson saying, "the hardest thing to do in life is to work hard", that's true, no matter what you do. The most difficult thing to do is to stay motivated and work hard. If you can do that it's a great quality to have.'