Wayne Rooney and his family are now holidaying in the Caribbean at their £5 million luxury villa in Barbados, having flown out there yesterday (Wednesday 30 June).
This will be the first time Rooney has seen his luxury mansion since it was built on the exclusive 500-acre Royal Westmoreland Estate on the west coast of the island. The holiday was booked two days before the England team crashed out of the World Cup, according to the Daily Mail.
Wayne and his wife Coleen have taken their son Kai away with them and are also joined by Coleen’s brothers and some of her female friends.
Wayne and Coleen have played an active role in the development of their seven bedroom villa – being involved in everything "from choosing the plot to the interior design of the property". The lavish property boasts a cinema room, infinity pool, Jacuzzi and a gym designed by Wayne.
A £35,000 security system has also reportedly been installed. There are breathtaking views from the bedroom, and the living room areas. The villa has marble floors with coral and mahogany fixtures. Glass tables also feature.
Guests will enter a grand lobby leading to the main hall and expansive living quarters, and the lounge area opens outdoors on to a link bridge leading to a covered outside dining terrace. The villa also backs on to the development's championship golf course.
It was revealed the Rooney had booked the flights to Barbados two days before England were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament after their 4-1 defeat to Germany. Possibly feeling pessimistic about their chances, the striker had booked first class tickets for himself, Coleen and her two brothers on British Airways to the Caribbean at £5,923 each. On Tuesday, his management told The Sun he had made “contingency plans” allowing him to go abroad at different stages of the tournament.
The England and Manchester United star will be in good company as the estate is a popular location for celebrities with villas in Barbados. Famous residents include ex-boxer Joe Calzaghe, Rooney’s team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker, cricketer Freddie Flintoff, and TV hosts Ant and Dec.
Although excited to see his latest property acquisition, the 24-year-old looked dejected after his disappointing performance in South Africa when he was spotted pushing his son in his buggy through the airport in Barbados.
Wayne and Coleen plan to spend time at their new holiday home, before enjoying a Caribbean cruise, and then a few days in Las Vegas, which is apparently one of their favourite holiday destinations.