Rooney signs record book deal - reports

SINGAPORE, Mar 10 (Reuters) Manchester United's England striker Wayne Rooney has signed a blockbuster book deal worth at least 5 million pounds (8.71 million dollars), British media reported today.

The BBC said the deal, a 12-year contract under which the 20-year-old has agreed to pen at least five books, was the most lucrative sports book deal in publishing history.

Rooney's first book will hit the shelves at the end of July 2006 and will be an autobiography of his life so far, including this summer's soccer World Cup.

The deal is with publisher HarperCollins, a unit of News Corp.

REUTERS PM KP0914