Rio Ferdinand Retires

Rio Ferdinand announced his retirement, just after being released by Queens Park Rangers

Ferdinand started his career under Redknapp at West Ham. He was with West Ham for 4 seasons which includes and spent a little time at Bournemouth when he was loaned to the club. Ferdinand then, transferred to Leeds United in 2000, stayed there for 2 season before moving to Manchester United for a record 29.1 million pound fee, which was the highest for a defender at that time.

"After 18 years as a professional footballer I now feel it's the right time for me to retire from the game that I love,” Rio said. “As a 12-year-old boy, kicking around a football on the Friary Estate in Peckham, I never dreamt that I would play for my boyhood club West Ham, captain Leeds, win the Champions League with Manchester United, or re-join my first manager Harry Redknapp at QPR.” The 36 year old Defender said.

The former Manchester United defender donned the England jersey for a period of almost 15 years, said: "I will always regard the 81 times that I played for England with immense pride. These are all treasured memories that will last a lifetime.”

"Starting a career, every young man needs mentors. I found mine in Dave Goodwin, the District Manager at Blackheath, and Tony Carr, the Youth Team Manager at West Ham. They instilled in me personality traits that lasted throughout my career. I will always be grateful to them.” Ferdinand said.

“I'd like to thank Chris Ramsey, Harry Redknapp, David O'Leary and David Moyes who managed me at various times in my career, all the backroom staff who looked after me over the years, and the players I played with. I would also like to thank the team who managed me off the pitch, Jamie Moralee and everybody at New Era.” The six time Premier League winner added.

"Winning trophies over my 12 years at Manchester United allowed me to achieve everything I desired in football. From a young child to today, that was all I cared about. None of that would have been possible, without the genius of one man, Sir Alex Ferguson.” The former champions league winner added.

"His greatest accomplishment in my eyes will always be how he developed us as men, not just as footballers. He will, in my opinion, always be the greatest manager in British football history.” He further said.

"I'd also like to thank and pay tribute to my late wife Rebecca and my family, including my mother and father, for their sacrifices, their encouragement and their advice throughout my career. And finally, I'd like to thank all the fans from all the clubs [I played for], for without them professional football would not exist. I will miss each and every one of you on my Saturday afternoons."He further added.

He has won 6 Premier League titles, 1 FA cup, 3 League cups, 6 Community Shields, 1 Champions League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup in his career. He was also named in the PFA team of the year 6 times.