Former Hammer Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from professional football after reading out a statement live on BT Sport.
Earlier this month, the defender’s wife Rebecca Ellison died from cancer and earlier this week he was released by QPR.
1978: Born November 8, Peckham.
1992: Joins West Ham youth Academy, scouted by Frank Lampard Senior.
1995: Turns professional with West Ham.
1996: May – Makes West Ham debut as substitute for Cottee in draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
1997: February – Scores first West Ham goal in defeat at Blackburn. November – Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes debut against Cameroon at Wembley.
1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle’s England World Cup squad but does not play at tournament in France but named Hammer of the year at West Ham.
2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Makes British record £18million in move to Leeds in November.
Now that is what the Academy is all about,he played the Westham Way from the back with style,could read the game nearly as good as Bobby Moore,
Enjoy your retirement Rio your welcome back anytime
Spot on bubs. I watched him as a youngster and honestly can’t remember a player of that age before or since with so much confidence. He’d have our hearts in our mouths spinning on the ball to wrongfoot the opposition but he had too much skill for it to go wrong.
I hope time heals his current sorrow and he has a happy retirement
Yes,good luck Rio,hope times get better for you.Always a place in The Irons set up for him as far as im concerned.The youngsters could learn much off him as a coach.