Coleen Rooney unexpectedly “ditched the gym” to celebrate with a portion of chips — and the reason behind it is enough to make anyone smile. Her son Kai’s £50,000-a-year dream of wearing the jersey at Manchester United is opening a proud new chapter for the whole family. What really happened during that special celebration?

Cheshire, UK – In a heartwarming twist that has fans buzzing, Coleen Rooney, 39, swapped her usual gym session for a low-key trip to the local chippy, all to mark a major milestone in her eldest son Kai’s football journey. The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star was spotted emerging from Fosters Fish & Chips shop in Cheshire, bundled up in a cosy black padded coat over black leggings and a jumper, clutching what appeared to be a steaming portion of chips. The outing came just hours after reports surfaced that 16-year-old Kai Rooney had been offered a lucrative new contract with Manchester United’s academy, reportedly worth up to £50,000 a year — a dream come true for the teenager following in his legendary father Wayne Rooney’s footsteps.

The celebration was understated yet deeply meaningful for the Rooney family. Sources close to the couple revealed that Coleen, fresh from her high-profile jungle appearance, decided to skip her workout routine to indulge in a classic British treat as a quiet nod to the good news. “It was a family moment of pure joy,” an insider told reporters. “No fancy restaurants or paparazzi — just chips and family pride.” Meanwhile, Wayne, 40, was seen earlier that day stepping out of a local off-licence with Kai, stocking up on celebratory drinks including Smirnoff vodka and Captain Morgan’s rum, hinting at a relaxed home gathering to toast Kai’s achievement.

Kai, who first signed with United’s academy back in 2020 at age 11, has steadily risen through the ranks. The young forward has impressed in the Under-18s, making his Old Trafford debut in the FA Youth Cup earlier this year against Derby County — a moment Wayne and Coleen watched proudly from the stands. Wayne posted a touching “then and now” photo on social media, captioning it: “Proud of you, Kai ❤️.” Kai came off the bench to a massive cheer from the crowd, evoking memories of his dad’s iconic career at the club, where Wayne netted 253 goals.

The new deal, described as a “major” scholarship-level contract for academy talents, rewards Kai’s hard work and potential. Insiders say it’s not just about the money — it’s validation of his talent in a “very strong” youth setup. Kai has scored key goals, including in cup finals and tournaments, and even copied celebrations from stars like Viktor Gyokeres. Despite the pressure of being Wayne Rooney’s son — Coleen once revealed Kai asked his dad to skip grassroots games to avoid fan swarms — the family has prioritized normalcy. “He just said, ‘Oh Dad, there’s no point you coming because you don’t even watch me play anyway,’” Coleen shared in 2024. Yet, for big moments like the Old Trafford debut, the Rooneys were there in force.

The chip shop run captured the essence of the Rooneys’ grounded approach amid fame. Coleen, often seen maintaining a fit lifestyle, chose comfort food over calories that day, symbolizing a break to savor family success. Fans online dubbed it “the sweetest celebration,” with many praising the family’s humility. “From Old Trafford cheers to chips in Cheshire — love this for them,” one commenter wrote.

Adding to the warmth, Kai has spoken ambitiously about his future: “In 10 years, hopefully I will be playing in the Premier League for Man United.” The teenager has shown flashes of brilliance, from trophy lifts in youth cups to standout performances, even navigating sponsorship rules (he’s with Puma but follows United’s boot policies, which Wayne approves).

For Coleen and Wayne, this chapter is bittersweet — pride mixed with protectiveness. They’ve guided Kai carefully, allowing a brief stint at Manchester City’s academy early on before returning to United. Now, with the new contract, the dream feels closer. The chippy outing? A perfect, relatable cap to the excitement — proof that even in a world of multimillion-pound deals, sometimes the best celebrations are the simplest.

As Coleen headed home with her chips, the family no doubt reflected on the journey: from Kai signing his first academy deal as a boy to this latest leap. It’s a story of talent, tenacity, and tight-knit love — one portion of chips at a time.

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Kai Rooney in action for Manchester United’s academy.

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Young Kai with father Wayne Rooney holding a Manchester United shirt upon signing.

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Coleen Rooney with son Kai and husband Wayne at a family event.

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Coleen and a teenage Kai sharing a proud moment together.