ROONEY'S GIFT FOR COLEEN pounds 18k diamond watch COLEEN'S GIFTS FOR

Sunday Mirror, Dec 28, 2003 by ZOE NAUMAN

SOCCER star Wayne Rooney splashed out on a diamond-encrusted watch for fiancee Coleen McLoughlin for Christmas.

The platinum Rolex, which has a diamond-covered face, cost the Everton and England star around pounds 18,000.

And since receiving the luxury watch on Christmas morning delighted Coleen, 17, has never taken it off her wrist.

In return the player, who earns pounds 13,000-a-week, had to make do with lots of more modest presents from his bride-to-be - which included a bottle of aftershave and Calvin Klein underwear.

But 18-year-old Wayne couldn't have been happier. A family friend said: "Coleen faced a struggle to work out what to get Wayne, because what do you buy the man who has enough money to buy anything?

"But she put a lot of time and effort into choosing Wayne's gifts, which included aftershave and underwear. And he was really pleased with them. To be honest she could have given him something really cheap and he wouldn't have cared as long as it was something she'd chosen specially.

"The problem is that he isn't into designer labels or lavish gifts, so the fact she had spent time going around choosing all these little things made his day.

"Obviously Coleen was delighted with her present from Wayne. It's a very beautiful watch and he put a lot of thought into the gift."

He was showing the same generous streak as Liverpool and England star Michael Owen, 24, who bought girlfriend Louise Bonsall, 23, a pounds 10,000 diamond ring for Christmas to "celebrate a magical year together".

Blonde Coleen quit school to concentrate on acting a few months ago. Since then she has juggled going to auditions with supporting Wayne in his footballing career.

She said: "I was getting offered parts and I couldn't take them because of my school work. I thought the time was right to leave and take a chance."

The young couple, who got engaged in November this year, recently scored a pounds 500,000 TV ad deal for Coca-Cola.

And they are both now being touted as the next David and Victoria Beckham, although they have vowed they will not be changed by Wayne's millions.

The footie star and Coleen also had a new car to drive around in over Christmas, as well as their new gifts. When Wayne went to visit her on Christmas Day at her family's home in Toxteth, Liverpool, he was seen climbing out of a new Ford Focus.

But it was revealed that the car is just a replacement for his old Ford Sports Ka as part of his endorsement deal with the car company.

zoe.nauman@sundaymirror.co.uk