Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand
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Who is this?
Rio Gavin Ferdinand (born 7 November 1978) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, and was a television pundit for TNT Sports, for ten years. He played 81 times for the England national team between 1997 and 2011, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, regarded by many as one of England's greatest ever defenders. Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at West Ham United where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the Hammer of the Year award the following season. He earned his first senior international cap in a match against Cameroon in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Leeds United and he transferred to the club for a record-breaking fee of £18 million. He spent two seasons at the club, becoming the team captain in 2001, before he joined Manchester United in July 2002 for around £30 million, breaking the transfer fee record once more. At Manchester United, he won the Premier League, his first major club honour, in a successful first season at the club. In September 2003, he missed a drugs test and was banned from football for eight months from January until September 2004, causing him to miss half a Premier League season, Manchester United's FA Cup triumph, and the Euro 2004 international competition. Upon his return, he established himself in the Manchester United first team and received plaudits for his performances, featuring in the PFA Team of the Year four times in five years. More club success followed with another Premier League win in the 2006–07 season and a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double the following year. His career at United, in which he won six Premier League titles and 14 trophies, ended when his contract expired in 2014, and he subsequently joined Queens Park Rangers where he played for just one season before being released from the club as a result of their relegation from the Premier League. He announced his retirement from professional football on 30 May 2015. In September 2017, Ferdinand announced his intention to become a professional boxer, partly to help him cope with the death of his wife. His brother, Anton, also a centre-back, played for clubs including West Ham and Sunderland. Former England international striker Les Ferdinand and former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Kane Ferdinand are his cousins.
Career
- 1978Born
- 1996Joined AFC Bournemouth
- 1996Joined West Ham United F.C.
- 1996Joined England national under-18 association football team
- 1997Joined England national under-21 association football team
- 1997Joined England men's national association football team
- 2000Joined Leeds United F.C.
- 2002Joined Manchester United F.C.
- 2014Joined Queens Park Rangers F.C.
- 2023Won Premier League Hall of Fame
- Won English Football Hall of Fame
Trivia
- •Place of birth: Camberwell
- •Citizenship: United Kingdom
- •Known as: association football player, autobiographer, film producer
- •Sport: association football
What happened recently
Premier League family dynasty continues as Rio Ferdinand's son signs professional terms
Rio Ferdinand's son supported by Man United icons after joining Premier League club
Rio Ferdinand's Son Signs First Professional Contract With Premier League Club
Tears as Rio Ferdinand finally reunites with Kate and his kids after World Cup
Not Messi! Rio Ferdinand Names This 24-Year-Old As His Favourite From 2026 FIFA World Cup
‘I was banned from playing for England – I cried having to watch my team-mates’
FIFA charge £60 for World Cup final press conference place alongside Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand pies Argentina fan before World Cup clash as ex-England star trolls World Cup rivals
Rio Ferdinand urges Arsenal to sign £40m Manchester United star: ‘I’m taking him’
Rio Ferdinand Swears by This Total-Body Workout to Stay Strong, Lean and Athletic at 47
Rio Ferdinand gives Man United transfer target advice after ‘private conversations’
Rio Ferdinand makes heartbreaking career admission to Liverpool icon Thiago Alcantara
Because of Rio Ferdinand, Ray Romano was finally able to get his shrink to smile.
Rio Ferdinand delivers verdict on whether Lionel Messi will win 2026 Ballon d’Or if Argentina win FIFA World Cup
Rio Ferdinand thinks Manchester United will go for Aurelien Tchouameni after Mateus Fernandes blow
Rio Ferdinand has tipped controversial World Cup feature to arrive in Premier League
This is what Rio Ferdinand has said about introducing Hydration breaks to Premier League matches
'Support the team FFS!' - Rio Ferdinand angered by negative reaction to England's drab draw with Ghana at World Cup
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand shows off incredible touch with amazing crossbar challenge across SWIMMING POOL
Rio Ferdinand’s Son Tate Returns to Kate Ferdinand’s Podcast for Candid Blended
'Long live Cristiano Ronaldo!' - Rio Ferdinand tells Portugal captain's critics to 'shut up' after World Cup brace vs Uzbekistan
Rio Ferdinand interview: How to manage Ronaldo, working with Corden and World Cup ticket prices
Rio Ferdinand’s son says he ‘hated’ stepmum Kate & spread rumours she was ‘meeting random men’ to sabotage relationship
Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand Defend Cristiano Ronaldo Against Thierry Henry's Criticism
Rio Ferdinand picks out England's 'only genuinely world-class player' after thrilling World Cup win over Croatia
“I keep hearing…” – Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool are about to sign World Cup star
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