Chelsea have cleared the No23 shirt for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney this coming season. The Daily Star says with Juan Mata sporting No.10, which Rooney wears for Manchester United and England, the available number with most commercial appeal is 23.

It was made famous by US basketball star Michael Jordan.

But it shot to prominence in football in 2003 when David Beckham chose it at Real Madrid after missing out on the No.7 he wore at Manchester United.

The No.23 became available at Stamford Bridge in January when striker Daniel Sturridge was sold to Liverpool.