EA Sign Rooney & Ronaldinho News

EA today confirmed Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho as cover stars for the forthcoming FIFA 06, scheduled for release during the autumn. Both players make a return having fronted previous versions in the series, and will appear on merchandising and advertising along with providing consultancy for the game.

"I'm a big fan of EA's FIFA series and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the final version. The game is very popular with many other players, especially when we travel together for away matches, and it's a great honour for a young player like myself to be chosen to be featured on the cover of FIFA," said Wayne Rooney.

"I feel very privileged to be asked to feature in another FIFA release. The game gives me the opportunity to play the matches I want to play every day of the week â?“ even while away from the field," said Ronaldinho.

"Both players have been acknowledged for their exceptional achievements at a very young age. Their inspirational talent makes them the ideal cover stars for our best selling sports game. Like Rooney and Ronaldinho, FIFA 06 will be all about reflecting the raw skill and passion of football," said Clive Downie, VP Marketing EA SPORTS Europe.

Downie continues, "To reinforce this year's release of the game, a multi-national team in Canada has been focused on product development, which will make FIFA 06 a very different proposition, bringing a Total Football experience to the fingertips of gamer's. It will deliver a combination of attacking gameplay, complete player customisation, pure authenticity and an all-new manager mode - we think football fans are going to like what they see."

"Gamers will be able to create a star player and customise every aspect of FIFA 06 to fit their individual playing style and preferences. Furthermore, an all new FIFA 06 Lounge and online play will provide gamers with as much football as they want, whenever they want it," concluded Downie.

FIFA 06 is scheduled for release on Playstation2, Xbox, GameCube, GameBoy Advance, Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS, bizarrely making no reference to the Xbox360 version demonstrated behind closed doors at E3â??05; weâ??ll have further coverage of FIFA 06 soonâ?¦