Cover stars announced for FIFA 2006

Electronic Arts has signed international football players, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho, to be the faces on the cover of this year's addition to the company's long-running sports franchise, FIFA 06.

Brazilian Ronaldinho and English Manchester United striker, Rooney, will have their faces adorn the cover boxes, merchandise and advertising of EA's game, which will be released on PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PC and PSP this autumn, with an Xbox 360 version to follow later in the year.

"I'm a big fan of EA's FIFA series and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the final version," said 19 year-old Rooney, current PFA Young Player of the year. "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."

Ronaldinho, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and FC Barcelona midfielder added: "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 - even while away from the field."

For both players this is an extension of previous collaborations with EA. Rooney has already worked on EA's FIFA 05 in the UK, while Ronaldinho appeared on the packs of FIFA Street and FIFA Football 04. Both players have been consultants in the development of 06.