Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 36-year-old was one of six players released by Queens Park Rangers after their relegation from Premier League, alongside the likes of Joey Barton, Richard Dunne and Shaun Wright-Phillips, and has now hung up his boots permanently.
A decision regarding his future looked imminent, with the veteran central defender playing less frequently and struggling against the top tier’s best sides. However, the best days of his career undoubtedly occured at the Theatre of Dreams, after a 12-year spell under the tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferdinand scored seven goals in 312 appearances for the Red Devils, after becoming the most expensive British footballer in history at the time, as well as the world’s second most expensive defender of all time. A £30 million switch from Leeds United followed after four years at West Ham United and a loan at AFC Bournemouth.
During his time at Old Trafford, Ferdinand was noted for his partnership with Nemanja Vidic – with the duo often labelled as the best defensive partnership in the world when both at the peak of their careers. And he collected the silverware to merit his performances, winning the Premier League no less than six times.
An FA Cup winner’s medal, three League Cups and a Champions League trophy to name but a few were also collected over the years, while featuring in the Premier League Team of the Year a staggering six times.
However, Ferdinand is likely to remain in football, having been appointed to the Football Association’s commission to improve the state of the national game while still playing.
Ferdinand suggested he would retire at the end of the season back in November 2014, having scored the last ever goal of the Ferguson era.
