Ex-Rangers star Martyn Waghorn has joked he won a "wrestling match" with new Derby signing Wayne Rooney over the number nine shirt.

Waghorn watched alongside fellow teammates as footie superstar and former Man United ace Rooney penned a deal at Pride Park to become a player-coach.

Supporters of Phillip Cocu's side urged Waghorn - who signed in 2018 from Ipswich Town - to give up the No.9 jersey for England legend Rooney.

But the Geordie striker quickly slapped down suggestions he'd be ready to offer up the number.

In response to one such fan request, Waghorn said: "Hahaha I’m sure this @WayneRooney fella is great player but 9s taken #wrestleforit".

The tweet racked up thousands of likes and shares.

READ MORE: Ex-Rangers midfielder Liam Burt scores Celtic winner in Challenge cup win

A short time later Rooney was unveiled as a Derby player with the new number 32 - and Waghorn was quick to jokingly gloat that he'd "won the wrestling match" - attaching a picture of WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.